A socially supportive women's community
The association’s activities take place in a group setting and are based on research findings showing that one of the most effective factors for growth and healing in rehabilitation and recovery processes reported by women coping with military-related PTSD is a sense of belonging to a supportive social group.
Building a socially supportive community of women is one of the central pillars of the association’s work.
Most women coping with military-related PTSD do not belong to organic groups similar to those common among men (such as a unit or team), and most did not participate in a specific war or military operation. Rather, during their service and as part of their roles, they were exposed to traumatic situations, the consequences of which they continue to cope with to this day.
Feelings of shame, loneliness, and inferiority prevent many women from seeking help, leaving them isolated and unseen. Creating a supportive social community enables a sense of recognition, equality, and acceptance-foundations that are essential for processes of healing and personal growth.
Community activity
The association’s activities take place in bi-monthly, one-day workshops held at various locations adapted to the nature of the activities and the needs of the group. The workshop content is primarily based on strengthening resilience, acquiring tools for coping with life’s challenges, providing group-based social support, and offering professional guidance delivered by the association’s professional team.
The design of the activity days is grounded in the understanding that, alongside conventional support services some community members receive outside the association, the integration of diverse therapeutic activities from the body–mind field creates a complementary therapeutic space. This additional supportive framework aims to enhance and strengthen each participant’s resilience and coping capacities.
The workshops are usually facilitated by the association’s professional team and occasionally by guest facilitators who bring added value from a range of therapeutic disciplines, including trauma-sensitive yoga, water-based therapy, movement therapy, nature-based therapy, equine-assisted therapy, and others. Alongside community activities, intimate, process-oriented groups are held throughout the year.
In addition to the community activity days, an open, professionally facilitated space is available twice a week to anyone in need. This space provides a safe environment and helps establish a supportive weekly routine.
Two to four times a year, multi-day retreats are held. The purpose of these retreats is to allow women in the community to step away from daily life and focus on healing and growth processes within a safe and supportive environment. Spending several consecutive days together enables deeper and more sustained processes that are not possible within a single-day framework. The association’s team accompanies the group throughout the retreat, in collaboration with external facilitators, according to the group’s needs and characteristics.
Personal Support
In addition to the various group activities, members of the “Arim Roshi” community receive personalized professional support tailored to their individual needs. The sense of “I am not alone” is a crucial aspect of the rehabilitation process, and this personal support is designed to offer both emotional and practical assistance to each member.
The association’s professional team provides guidance on a range of topics, including navigating recognition processes, handling bureaucracy, accessing entitlements, referrals to relevant professionals, family support, and more.
research
Given the increasing number of women in combat roles and those exposed to the stresses of war and military traumas in Israel, it is crucial to study their unique experiences and challenges. This need has become even more pressing in the aftermath of the October 7 tragedy and the Iron Swords War. To address this, the Arim Roshi association is incorporating research into its activities.
The study is being led by Dr. Michal Tofurak and Dr. Racheli Haim-Dahan and has been approved as a qualitative exploratory study by the Ethics Committee of Tel Hai College. So far, two focus groups have been conducted with the following objectives:
- To understand the experiences and perceptions of women exposed to traumatic events related to military or security service, and to identify their specific needs.
- To develop a set of interventions and support measures tailored to these women.
- To identify additional variables that should be explored in future studies to further the understanding and promote the mental well-being of this population.
As the research progresses, additional focus groups, personal interviews, and quantitative surveys are planned to expand the scope and depth of the study.
