BROTHERS FOR LIFE PTSD PROGRAM BUILDING STRENGTH FROM WITHIN
About the
PTSD Program
Many soldiers wounded in battle suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As they experience severe bouts of anxiety brought on by reliving horrifying events, the soldiers find it virtually impossible to conduct normal lives. To them, reliving battlefield trauma is more crippling than physical injury. In 2012, BFL began implementing the PTSD Program, which includes group therapy sessions, mindfulness workshops for members and their life partners, yoga, one-on-one guidance, lectures, couples workshops, family workshops and weekend retreats. The PTSD Program is very unique in that it is led by veterans who have themselves recovered from PTSD. By tapping into their own experiences, they are able to help soldiers and veterans leave the battlefield behind. The results are promising: 90% of participants attest that the program has made a significant impact on their lives.
PTSD Program Goals for 2021
Main Components
4 therapy groups for 40 BFL members (10 members per group) 50 one-on-one meetings Mindfulness workshops throughout Israel for 50 participants 2 couples therapy workshops (for 10 couples) A family therapy workshop for 15 fathers A video-therapy workshop for 15 participants 2 weekend retreats for 30 BFL members
Financial Data
$ 3,600
The average cost of one soldier's annual participation in the PTSD Program
$ 36,000
The average cost of 10 soldiers' annual participation in the PTSD Program
$ 200,000
Annual program cost for 2021
How
Can You Help? Brothers for Life is looking for partners who want to fund the PTSD Program and help wounded combat soldiers receive the emotional care and attention they need to rebuild their lives. For many soldiers, the battle continues after they've left the battlefield. To successfully cope with PTSD, they require expert care. Let's make sure we're there for them when they need us.
Meet
The Soldiers Below are two BFL members whose active participation in the PTSD Program has helped them rebuild their lives:
Avichai
Roman
Avichai is 33 years old. During his Army service, Avichai participated in a large number of special operations. After his discharge, and due in part to experiencing life-threatening situations and seeing his friends suffer injuries, Avichai began to suffer from acute PTSD. After a long period of dealing with the disorder on his own, Avichai joined BFL's PTSD Program. During group therapy, Avichai received tools and insights that helped him share his experiences with others and support his fellow veterans. He gradually connected with his inner strengths and was able to harness hardship into personal growth. Today, Avichai works with children, parents and families. He feels he has a genuine ability to help others.
Roman is 37 years old. A former Knesset aid and journalist, Roman was called for reserve duty during the Second Lebanon War. After the war, Roman began experiencing PTSD, and his life began to fall apart. Roman began participating in the PTSD Program one year ago, and made immediate progress. He quickly began helping his fellow group members on their road to rehabilitation. He is currently living in Tel Aviv, is in a relationship, and is looking forward to starting his academic studies in social work.
$3,600 will allow one IDF veteran with PTSD to participate in effective group therapy for an entire year.
Brothers for Life, “Achim LaChaim" in Hebrew, is a non-profit organization created and run by wounded soldiers from Israel’s elite Duvdevan anti-terror unit and based on the unique model of "injured soldiers helping newly injured soldiers". Brothers for Life is currently working with over 950 injured soldiers and their families.
CONTACT US 270 South Hanford Street, Suite #207 Seattle WA 98134 Phone +1 206-691-5096 www.achimlachaim.org www.brothersforlife.com Brothers for life