Across Israel, an entire generation of young people is growing up under the weight of fear, instability, trauma, and emotional isolation.
For nearly seven years, beginning with COVID-19, followed by political unrest, ongoing violence, war, displacement, and the devastating aftermath of October 7th, Israel’s youth have lived without a true sense of stability or emotional security. Today, the emotional toll is impossible to ignore.
At ELEM, we are witnessing an unprecedented rise in emotional distress and risk behaviors among young people across Israel, including anxiety, violence, self-harm, substance use, and profound loneliness.
One out of four boys and girls in Israel experiences bullying, including verbal and physical assault, humiliation, and extreme social exclusion. Emergency room referrals related to suicidal thoughts and self-harm have skyrocketed. Criminal files opened for youth have increased 26% from 2025-2026. More and more young people are falling into crisis before anyone notices they are struggling.
But trauma does not have to define a generation. When a young person feels seen, heard, and supported, everything can begin to change.
That is what ELEM does.
What ELEM is seeing on the ground:
Every single day, ELEM’s teams are on the streets, inside youth centers, shelters, schools, and online, reaching vulnerable young people others often miss – before isolation becomes hopelessness, before emotional pain turns into crisis, and before a young person gives up entirely.
ELEM provides more than support. ELEM provides human connection in moments when it matters most.
A caring adult. A safe place. A conversation at the right moment. A reason to keep going.
Across Israel, ELEM’s outreach teams, counselors, therapists, and volunteers meet young people exactly where they are — emotionally, physically, and mentally — helping them rebuild trust, resilience, stability, and hope for the future.
Every donation helps ELEM maintain a nationwide presence for vulnerable youth and young adults across Israel, ensuring that no young person has to face trauma, fear, or crisis alone.
Now is the time to act.
Help stop trauma from defining a generation.
Help us remind Israel’s young people that they are not alone.