The October 7 massacre left the country reeling with trauma, especially those in the Gaza border communities.
Indeed, according to a study from The Lancet, those who were in the affected areas on October 7 were three times more likely to present with probable PTSD and two times more likely to present with depression, the study showed.
Healing Place, a treatment center partially funded by the Wexner Foundation and established in the wake of the massacre, stated in a recent release that it aimed to assist those most affected by that day.
"When we opened a healing place, the idea was to reach out to the survivors of the Nova and the evacuees from the kibbutzim and offer them mental first aid," said founder and manager Ra'anan Arizona. "On October 8, there were ten people, and a week later, 1,000 people."
He continued: "These days, we are focusing on helping the residents of the Gaza border kibbutzim, bereaved families, widows, abductees who have returned from captivity, and more. Everyone here is close.
"We combine body and mind. The money donated is spent on treating the groups that experienced the greatest horror on October 7."
Hila Oren, a Wexner Foundation alumna, said that the Healing Place "represents the idea that one can receive treatment in a public setting. That is, not only in the clinic, but also in the park or the public garden. I am amazed by the therapeutic results."
The center, which is located in Beit Yitzhak in central Israel, sits on one-and-half hectares and focuses on rehabilitation for traumatized victims of the massacre and the ensuing Israel-Hamas War.
Strength in numbers
The organization added that it focuses on community and rehabilitation in nature. Further, while it offers massage therapy and other physical activities, it also offers group therapy led by trauma-specializing therapists, it noted.
Ofer Lior, who lost his son Matan Mordechai at the Supernova festival, said that the farm and its therapy groups are a lifeline for him.
"When the terrorists were still at the party place, I saw terrible things; the smells and sights never leave me," said Lior. "I waited about six days until receiving the terrible message about my son's murder. I arrived broken and bleeding from the events of October 7 to this loving place. There are workshops here with other bereaved parents who experience and understand the grief."
Matan owned the sound company hired for the festival and was one of the last people to leave to help others evacuate the grounds.
He saved dozens of lives that morning with his heroism, Healing Place added.
"There are love and support groups here; they drive and strengthen me in a significant way and allow me to walk with the terrible pain for the rest of the way."