Negev Caregivers Face Trauma Treatment and Threats to Their Safety

Following the October 7 attacks, the mental health system in Israel, particularly within the Bedouin community in the Negev, has been severely strained. Many Bedouin residents were directly affected by the Hamas assault, with casualties, injuries, and kidnappings leading to a surge in mental health distress and increased demand for services. However, mental health resources available in Arabic and in the Negev region remain insufficient.

The pharmaceutical company Teva, through its "Caregivers in Mental Health" program, identified the urgent need to professionally strengthen the community of caregivers and expand trauma treatment capabilities with culturally adapted approaches. During program sessions, a recurring issue emerged: violence and threats against caregivers themselves, which has now become a central concern.

In response, the "Tamar" organization, supported by Teva's program, is developing a pioneering professional framework to help caregivers manage violence and threats from patients or their families while maintaining professional boundaries in a complex environment. This initiative aims to equip caregivers with practical tools to handle risk situations.

According to the Ministry of Welfare, 444 incidents of violence against social workers in local authorities were reported in 2025, though experts believe many cases go unreported. The challenge is even greater in Arab society, where violence has become a daily reality in many communities. Tamar emphasizes that the goal is not only to support participating caregivers but also to create professional knowledge to assist all treatment workers facing such risks. "Violence has become part of the reality caregivers face," the organization stated, "and it is time to provide them with tailored tools to cope."

This development highlights the dual front on which Negev caregivers operate: treating trauma while confronting threats to their own safety amid ongoing regional tensions and social challenges.