Several unfortunate incidents took place in the country recently, among people of different age groups who suffered emotional distress that were unidentified, with tragic results. Signs of trouble preceded the incidents, but those who were close to these people did not know how to interpret the early signals. 

In response to this situation, Ezer Mizion held a unique evening for community leaders in Modi'in Ilit - the first of its kind - in order to increase awareness of the subject.

About forty community Rabbis from Modi'in Ilit, who are in close contact with the members of their congregations, participated in the event. At the gathering, they were addressed by Rabbi Meir Kessler, Chief Rabbi of Modi'in Ilit, Chananya Chollak, International Chairman of Ezer Mizion, Dr. Igor Avipa, Director of Lev Hasharon Hospital's outpatient clinics, and Dr. Moshe Weiler, senior clinical psychologist.

Dr. Weiler spoke about psychological problems, the value of early identification and diagnosis, and the opportunities available to every person -especially the community Rabbi who is in daily contact with his congregation - to pick up signs of emotional distress and refer the victims to appropriate therapy.

Chananya Chollak, International Chairman of Ezer Mizion, said that the gathering was called in light of the organization's broad experience dealing with many cases in recent years, in which emotional illness was discovered too late, after the victim's distress was not identified by anyone at an earlier point, when the illness could perhaps have been prevented.

A second evening was held for health professionals, educators and the general public. The gathering was addressed by community leaders Chananya Chollak, Ezer Mizion's International Chairman. Also addressing the event will was Dr. Yoav Cohen, Director of the Child and Young Adult Psychiatric Department in Hadassah Hospital and Eitanim Hospital, and Dr. Yosef Bernstein, clinical psychologist, who expanded on the subject of early awareness.

Yaakov Lapidot, Director Ezer Mizion's Modi'in Ilit branch, said that the goal of the project is to help pick up on problems as early as possible. This will hopefully prevent long term damage to the patient in need of professional therapy. "Awareness and alertness are crucial. We call upon the general public to recognize the signals that will enable us to provide the earliest possible help to people suffering from various types of emotional distress."