Yuvalim
War Trauma Efforts
The Yuvalim Project was created in direct response to the unprecedented trauma experienced by thousands of young Israelis following the October 7th Hamas attack.
Among the 3,700 survivors of the Nova Music Festival, estimates suggest that only 2,500 are currently receiving care, leaving more than a thousand young people without consistent mental-health support. The number of untreated survivors from the kibbutzim and other affected areas is believed to be even higher.
Recognizing this urgent national need, the Israeli government asked ELEM to design and implement a comprehensive, trauma-informed model for long-term psychological and social rehabilitation.
Yuvalim operates nationwide, with staff traveling to reach survivors in central and southern Israel, including communities hardest hit by the October 7th attacks.
The Yuvalim Project serves young survivors of the Nova Festival and the October 7th attacks—individuals who witnessed extreme violence, experienced the loss of friends and family, and continue to live with symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and grief.
Many of these young adults belong to Israel’s festival and rave subculture, a community with which ELEM has built deep trust over decades through its Anashim Tovim (“Good People”) harm-reduction project. This relationship uniquely positions ELEM to reach survivors who might otherwise resist traditional forms of therapy.
ELEM’s approach recognizes that recovery begins not only with clinical care but also with human connection, empathy, and belonging.
What Happens at Yuvalim
Led by the Anashim Tovim team, Yuvalim integrates individual trauma counseling, peer support, and community rehabilitation in safe, stigma-free environments.
Key components include:
Immediate and ongoing emotional support, both in person and online
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Trauma-informed therapy and group healing circles led by trained professionals
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Community events and memorial gatherings that foster resilience and solidarity
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Outreach and identification of survivors still disconnected from care
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Collaboration with national agencies to ensure access to long-term treatment and benefits
Yuvalim’s model is built on continuity of care—guiding each participant through the entire healing journey, from crisis to recovery to reintegration.
Reaching the Margins of Israeli Society
Yuvalim is one of Israel’s only programs addressing the long-term mental-health needs of young adults directly affected by national trauma. Many participants fall outside conventional systems of care—they may not identify as “victims,” avoid formal therapy, or live far from major treatment centers.
By leveraging ELEM’s trusted presence within youth culture and nightlife communities, Yuvalim reaches those most likely to fall through the cracks, providing accessible, compassionate, and ongoing support.
Expansion
With your support, ELEM aims to:
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Expand outreach to reach all Nova and kibbutz survivors still without support
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Increase staffing and clinical supervision to meet the growing demand for trauma counseling
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Establish permanent regional healing hubs for survivors and their families
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Collaborate with national mental-health and social-service networks to ensure sustained recovery pathways
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Collaboration with national agencies to ensure access to long-term treatment and benefits