An ongoing, multi-faceted program for victims of terror attacks and their families

Victims of terror attacks, whether or not physically injured, sometimes suffer long-term posttraumatic symptoms, although the intensity of symptoms differs among individuals. Often, after discharge from the hospital, additional posttraumatic symptoms and emotional distress are evident, together with difficulty in readjusting to a normal life. This paper describes an ongoing multi-faceted program to empower victims and their families and assist them on the journey to recovery. The program is operated by the social work department in one of the main hospitals in Israel, in alliance with a voluntary non-profit organization in the U.S. One hundred seventeen victims of terror attacks who were previously hospitalized in the hospital for immediate care after attack were enrolled in the program, which is structured to offer comprehensive help in order to meet the psychological, material, and social needs of the participants and their families. Based on needs assessment, the participants are offered individual, family, and group therapies and community activities. Different elements of the project are described, and the need to further develop intervention models and to evaluate them is highlighted.