Emergency Mental Health Resources

Mashabei Cheirum LeBriut HaNefesh

משאבי חירום לבריאות הנפש

National Crisis & Support Hotlines

These are free, operate nationally, and are either government-run or government-backed NGOs.

Bayit Cham – Helpline (religious sector–oriented NGO)

• What: Culturally sensitive support for people and families dealing with mental-health challenges; includes a helpline and a network of clinics
• Coverage: Hotline is nationwide; clinics in multiple cities (Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Elad, Modiin area, Ariel, Ashdod, etc.)
• Languages: Mainly Hebrew; some services for Hebrew-speaking religious communities (Ashkenazi / Sephardi / Haredi)
• Contact: Hotline: *9518 and 1599-510-550
• Cost: Many services are subsidized under Misrad HaBriut – משרד הבריאות – Ministry of Health frameworks.

Crossroads Jerusalem – Crisis Hotline for Anglo Teens & Young Adults

• What: Crisis hotline and social-work support for English-speaking teens and young adults (gap-year students, Olim, etc.)
• Coverage: Hotline is available throughout Israel; in-person counselling & drop-in center in Jerusalem (often fully subsidized)
• Languages: English (main), some staff may speak Hebrew
• Contact: Crisis Hotline / SMS / WhatsApp: 050-HOTLINE (050-468-5463)
• Cost: Hotline free; many counselling services for eligible youth subsidized or no-cost
  Olim focus: Entire service is designed for Anglos navigating Israel

ERAN – Emotional First Aid

• What: 24/7 emotional first-aid hotline and online support; first line for crisis, distress, loneliness, anxiety, etc.
• Coverage: Nationwide (phone & online)
• Languages: Hebrew & Arabic on the main line. Child Helpline International
  Additional languages (including English, French, Russian, etc.) via the Olim Helpline and partnerships.ERAN Association
• Contact: Phone: *1201 (Gov.il)
  WhatsApp / chat via website: https://en.eran.org.il (ERAN Association)
  Cost: Free
  Olim Focus: Instant help, no Hebrew required, nonjudgmental and confidential

Ezer Mizion – Crisis Hotline & Mental Health Services

• What: Large health-services NGO; among other things, runs a 24-hour crisis hotline for severe mental-health emergencies and rehabilitative employment centers.
• Coverage: Nationwide (hotline & rehab frameworks at several locations)
• Languages: Mainly Hebrew; some staff likely speak other languages (varies by branch)
• Contact: Website (mental health section)
• Cost: Services often subsidized through government / Bituach Leumi or donations
• Olim focus: Some English-speaking clinicians; strong community presence.

General Mental & Emotional Stress Hotlines

• What: Hotlines for mental & emotional stress, sometimes referenced as serving religious / community populations
• Coverage: Nationwide by phone
• Languages: Mainly Hebrew but other languages also available
• Contact: Get Help Israel
  998 Lifeline https://988lifeline.org/
• Cost: Free

Kupot Holim – Emotional Support Lines (Gov’t-regulated)

• During national emergencies, the HMOs provide 3 short-term therapeutic sessions by phone and run mental-health hotlines
• Coverage: Nationwide, via each health fund.
• Languages: Primarily Hebrew; some lines / therapists can speak Russian, Arabic, English and others depending on staff.
• Hotlines
  Clalit: *8703
  Maccabi: *3555
  Meuhedet: *3833
  Leumit: *507
• Cost: Usually free or subsidized for members as part of the public mental-health system
• Olim focus: Easy access to long-term, subsidized psychiatric and psychological care

NATAL – Israel Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War

• What: Helpline and treatment services for trauma related to war and terror – PTSD, anxiety, sleep issues, etc.
  Coverage: Nationwide (phone; plus clinics and outreach).(Natal)
• Languages: Materials and resources in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, French, German, English. (Natal)
• Contact: Helpline: *3362 or 1-800-363-363 (often cited as the anxiety & trauma hotline). (Natal)
  Website
• Cost: Free helpline; therapy usually subsidized/low-cost or via public frameworks
  Olim focus: Specialized trauma care; sensitive to newcomers coping with Israel’s security climate

National Resilience Center & Resilience Centers Network

• What: State-funded resilience centers providing emotional support (phone and in-person) for stress, anxiety and trauma, especially during emergencies
• Coverage: Local resilience centers across Israel; if no local center, you can use the national line
• Languages: Hebrew; some centers have dedicated phone numbers for Arabic, English, Russian
• Contact:
  National Resilience Center: *5486 (Sun–Thu, usually daytime/evening; hours may be extended in emergencies)
• Cost: Free; funded by Misrad HaBriut / Bituach Leumi tional Insurance via the Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC)
• Olim focus: Free, government-provided emotional counselling; available throughout Israel

National Suicide Prevention Program – Central Gov’t “Get Help” Page

• What: Central Misrad HaBriut page listing the main suicide-prevention & emotional-support services, with links and languages
• Coverage: Nationwide
• Languages: The program emphasizes availability in multiple languages, via its partner NGOs

SAHAR – Online Mental Health Support

• What: Anonymous, online emotional support (chat / forums) for people in distress or suicidal crisis; all volunteer-based and free
• Coverage: Nationwide (online only).
• Languages: Hebrew and Arabic
• Contact: Sahar in Israel – FindaHelpline
• Cost: Free
• Olim focus: Fully anonymous; text-based; ideal for those struggling in silence. (Note: no English version)

Major organizations providing ongoing (usually subsidized) care

These are not just hotlines – they provide longer-term therapy, rehabilitation, groups, and family support, often subsidized via the public system.

Bayit Cham – Clinics & Family Programs (in addition to entry above)

• Beyond the hotline (above), Bayit Cham runs:
  Outpatient clinics for adults and children in ~18 locations (Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Elad, Ariel, Ashdod, etc.)
  Special programs for family members of people with mental illness in the religious sector “T’chelet”
• Coverage: Nationwide, but with a strong focus on religious communities
• Cost: Often partially or heavily subsidized (many frameworks are funded/supervised by the Misrad HaBriut)

Enosh – The Israeli Mental Health Association

• What: Israel’s largest community-based mental-health NGO; offers rehab and support in housing, employment, social clubs, family counselling, youth services (e.g. “headspace”), and more
• Coverage: 85 service centers across Israel (Hebrew search) – north, center, south; urban and peripheral areas
• Languages: Mainly Hebrew; many branches also serve Arabic, Russian and other language communities depending on local demographics
• Cost: Services are typically subsidized by the state (psychiatric rehabilitation law / Bituach Leumi) for eligible clients
• Olim focus: Wide network; good for long-term stability and integration

Public Mental Health Clinics (Gov’t / HMOs)

• What: Outpatient psychiatric and psychological services provided under the national health insurance law, via the Kupot Cholim and Misdrad HaBriut Health clinics
• Coverage: Nationwide; access is based on your Kupat Cholim and local clinics
• Languages: Primarily Hebrew, but many clinics have staff who speak Russian, Arabic, Amharic, English and others, depending on location
• Cost: Subsidized / capped co-pays, especially for long-term treatment and psychiatric medications

Municipal & Olim-focused resources (examples)

There are many local services that are not practical to list, but a few useful resources:

Municipal Hotlines (e.g., Jerusalem)

The Jerusalem Municipality lists local mental-health help lines and specific support for Olim in English, Russian, Spanish, French, Amharic

Olim support hubs
These often compile English and other language crisis and mental-health contacts

• Shivat Zion Emergency Resources
• Chai Lifeline
• Get Help Israel
• Keep Olim – Tikva Mental Health Program (FB)

Most of these are information/referral hubs, not direct therapy providers, but they’re very helpful for Olim who speak different languages.