Emergency Mental Health Resources in Israel

Emergency Mental Health Resources

Mashabei Cheirum LeBriut HaNefesh
משאבי חירום לבריאות הנפש

National Crisis & Support Hotlines

These are free, operate nationally, and are either government-run or government-backed NGOs.

Bayit Cham – Helpline (religious sector–oriented NGO)

  • What: Culturally sensitive support for people and families dealing with mental-health challenges; includes a helpline and a network of clinics
  • Coverage: Hotline is nationwide; clinics in multiple cities (Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Elad, Modiin area, Ariel, Ashdod, etc.)
  • Languages: Mainly Hebrew; some services for Hebrew-speaking religious communities (Ashkenazi / Sephardi / Haredi)
  • Contact: Hotline: *9518 and 1599-510-550
  • Cost: Many services are subsidized under Misrad HaBriut – משרד הבריאות – Ministry of Health frameworks.

Crossroads Jerusalem – Crisis Hotline for Anglo Teens & Young Adults

  • What: Crisis hotline and social-work support for English-speaking teens and young adults (gap-year students, Olim, etc.)
  • Coverage: Hotline is available throughout Israel; in-person counselling & drop-in center in Jerusalem (often fully subsidized)
  • Languages: English (main), some staff may speak Hebrew
  • Contact: Crisis Hotline / SMS / WhatsApp: 050-HOTLINE (050-468-5463)
  • Cost: Hotline free; many counselling services for eligible youth subsidized or no-cost
    Olim focus: Entire service is designed for Anglos navigating Israel

ERAN – Emotional First Aid

  • What: 24/7 emotional first-aid hotline and online support; first line for crisis, distress, loneliness, anxiety, etc.
  • Coverage: Nationwide (phone & online)
  • Languages: Hebrew & Arabic on the main line. Child Helpline International
    Additional languages (including English, French, Russian, etc.) via the Olim Helpline and partnerships.ERAN Association
  • Contact: Phone: *1201 (Gov.il)
    WhatsApp / chat via website: https://en.eran.org.il (ERAN Association)
    Cost: Free
    Olim Focus: Instant help, no Hebrew required, nonjudgmental and confidential

Ezer Mizion – Crisis Hotline & Mental Health Services

  • What: Large health-services NGO; among other things, runs a 24-hour crisis hotline for severe mental-health emergencies and rehabilitative employment centers.
  • Coverage: Nationwide (hotline & rehab frameworks at several locations)
  • Languages: Mainly Hebrew; some staff likely speak other languages (varies by branch)
  • Contact: Website (mental health section)
  • Cost: Services often subsidized through government / Bituach Leumi or donations
  • Olim focus: Some English-speaking clinicians; strong community presence.

 

General Mental & Emotional Stress Hotlines

  • What: Hotlines for mental & emotional stress, sometimes referenced as serving religious / community populations
  • Coverage: Nationwide by phone
  • Languages: Mainly Hebrew but other languages also available
  • Contact: Get Help Israel
    998 Lifeline https://988lifeline.org/
  • Cost: Free

Kupot Holim – Emotional Support Lines (Gov’t-regulated)

  • During national emergencies, the HMOs provide 3 short-term therapeutic sessions by phone and run mental-health hotlines
  • Coverage: Nationwide, via each health fund.
  • Languages: Primarily Hebrew; some lines / therapists can speak Russian, Arabic, English and others depending on staff.
  • Hotlines
    Clalit: *8703
    Maccabi: *3555
    Meuhedet: *3833
    Leumit: *507
  • Cost: Usually free or subsidized for members as part of the public mental-health system
  • Olim focus: Easy access to long-term, subsidized psychiatric and psychological care

NATAL – Israel Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War

  • What: Helpline and treatment services for trauma related to war and terror – PTSD, anxiety, sleep issues, etc.
    Coverage: Nationwide (phone; plus clinics and outreach).(Natal)
  • Languages: Materials and resources in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, French, German, English. (Natal)
  • Contact: Helpline: *3362 or 1-800-363-363 (often cited as the anxiety & trauma hotline). (Natal)
    Website
  • Cost: Free helpline; therapy usually subsidized/low-cost or via public frameworks
    Olim focus: Specialized trauma care; sensitive to newcomers coping with Israel’s security climate

National Resilience Center & Resilience Centers Network

  • What: State-funded resilience centers providing emotional support (phone and in-person) for stress, anxiety and trauma, especially during emergencies
  • Coverage: Local resilience centers across Israel; if no local center, you can use the national line
  • Languages: Hebrew; some centers have dedicated phone numbers for Arabic, English, Russian
  • Contact:
    National Resilience Center: *5486 (Sun–Thu, usually daytime/evening; hours may be extended in emergencies)
  • Cost: Free; funded by Misrad HaBriut / Bituach Leumi tional Insurance via the Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC)
  • Olim focus: Free, government-provided emotional counselling; available throughout Israel

National Suicide Prevention Program – Central Gov’t “Get Help” Page

  • What: Central Misrad HaBriut page listing the main suicide-prevention & emotional-support services, with links and languages
  • Coverage: Nationwide
  • Languages: The program emphasizes availability in multiple languages, via its partner NGOs

SAHAR – Online Mental Health Support

  • What: Anonymous, online emotional support (chat / forums) for people in distress or suicidal crisis; all volunteer-based and free
  • Coverage: Nationwide (online only).
  • Languages: Hebrew and Arabic
  • Contact: Sahar in Israel – FindaHelpline
  • Cost: Free
  • Olim focus: Fully anonymous; text-based; ideal for those struggling in silence. (Note: no English version)

Major organizations providing ongoing (usually subsidized) care

These are not just hotlines – they provide longer-term therapy, rehabilitation, groups, and family support, often subsidized via the public system.

Bayit Cham – Clinics & Family Programs (in addition to entry above)

  • Beyond the hotline (above), Bayit Cham runs:
    Outpatient clinics for adults and children in ~18 locations (Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Elad, Ariel, Ashdod, etc.)
    Special programs for family members of people with mental illness in the religious sector “T’chelet”
  • Coverage: Nationwide, but with a strong focus on religious communities
  • Cost: Often partially or heavily subsidized (many frameworks are funded/supervised by the Misrad HaBriut)

Enosh – The Israeli Mental Health Association

  • What: Israel’s largest community-based mental-health NGO; offers rehab and support in housing, employment, social clubs, family counselling, youth services (e.g. “headspace”), and more
  • Coverage: 85 service centers across Israel (Hebrew search) – north, center, south; urban and peripheral areas
  • Languages: Mainly Hebrew; many branches also serve Arabic, Russian and other language communities depending on local demographics
  • Cost: Services are typically subsidized by the state (psychiatric rehabilitation law / Bituach Leumi) for eligible clients
  • Olim focus: Wide network; good for long-term stability and integration

Public Mental Health Clinics (Gov’t / HMOs)

  • What: Outpatient psychiatric and psychological services provided under the national health insurance law, via the Kupot Cholim and Misdrad HaBriut Health clinics
  • Coverage: Nationwide; access is based on your Kupat Cholim and local clinics
  • Languages: Primarily Hebrew, but many clinics have staff who speak Russian, Arabic, Amharic, English and others, depending on location
  • Cost: Subsidized / capped co-pays, especially for long-term treatment and psychiatric medications

Municipal & Olim-focused resources (examples)

There are many local services that are not practical to list, but a few useful resources:

Municipal Hotlines (e.g., Jerusalem)

The Jerusalem Municipality lists local mental-health help lines and specific support for Olim in English, Russian, Spanish, French, Amharic

Olim support hubs
These often compile English and other language crisis and mental-health contacts

Most of these are information/referral hubs, not direct therapy providers, but they’re very helpful for Olim who speak different languages.