A New Way of Thinking: Family Communication in Mental Health

The study day provided participants with theoretical and practical knowledge as well as a forum for sharing personal experiences and tools that help foster closer communication between family members. During the event, a moving discussion of personal stories and experiences developed between the audience and speakers.

Tomer Haran, medical psychologist and yoga instructor, opened the event with an opportunity to consider self-compassion and empathy in family relationships. Tomer was followed by Etti Ben Sasson, mother of a daughter with mental health challenges, who shared a moving personal story about the impact of the mental difficulty on her family. She further created an open dialogue with the audience about the challenges and strengths in dealing with mental illness in the family.

Family Communication in Mental Health – study day at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center

The audience then participated in a performance by Playback Theater emceed by Alon Porat and family members from Yahel Center, which was designed to facilitate renewed experience and emotional personal processing through art. Additionally, Dr. Idan Amshalom and Dr. Elad Kornet from the Mental Health Service at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center both spoke about the critical role of family in the rehabilitation process, while presenting the DBT approach as an important therapeutic tool in dealing with mental challenges.

To conclude, Ayelet Basis - an art therapist and DBT practitioner, and Iris Cherninsky - a music therapist at Yahel Centers, conducted an experiential lecture in which they used music and expression techniques to strengthen family communication and enhance harmony between family members.

Eychut Beshikum operates seven family mental health counseling centers throughout Israel (Ashdod, Rishon LeZion, Hadera, Kfar Saba, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Ashkelon), with each center having a branch in an additional city. The centers are funded and overseen by the Ministry of Health. Additionally, the association operates different rehabilitation settings in the community: hostel, assisted living and supported employment.