b'Peace of Mind for Combat VeteransEvery year, thousands of released Israeli combat soldiers face the difficult transition back into civilian life. Despite the well-known image of the resilient Israeli soldier, long-term effects of veterans exposure to stress from combat are well documented. Veterans can suffer from a myriad of psychological difficulties such as difficulties in relationships, aggressiveness, sleep disturbances, substance abuse, depression and regret.Peace of Mind (POM), a program of Metiv: The Israel Psychodrama Center, is an intervention that, asoneveteranputit,helpedmegetridofthe heavyburdenofquestionsthatIhavebeen dragging around since my service. I now have a feelingofreleasefromthisheavyweight,andI can now invest my energies in the various tasks of dailylife.Participantstypicallydonotshow pathological symptoms of post-traumatic stress yet are sorely in need of a place and time to process theircombatexperiencesinafacilitatedgroup setting, allowing them to constructively confront what has been weighing them down and to live full and productive lives. Nearly two-thirds of participants have shown significant post-traumatic growth following their participation in the program. POMs experience has shown that at 21 years of age most veterans are not ready to deal with some of the horrors they lived through and for many a full 10 years of civilian life (while still in the reserves) is necessary before they are ready to face their demons. Last year, HOT financed the therapy for such a group and how I wish there was sufficient room on this page to share with you the personal hell many of these veterans are still living through.For some that are ready to deal with their issues in under 5 years after discharge there is a shorter program. Unfortunately, there are 286 (26 groups of 10-12) veterans who are on a waiting list to get this much needed help. The programs, two of which HOT has financed, are led by two therapists includes 20 hours of intense counseling during which participants learn aboutcommonreactionstoextremecombatexperiences,reflectonhowtheyenteredthe battlefield, and usually for the first time discuss how they left the battlefield. All share his storywiththegroup,whichconstitutesaparticularlyintenseandemotionalpartofthe intervention. Towards the end of this workshop the therapists lead discussions focusing on broader issues such as family and romantic relationships, career choices, and about how post-militarycivilianlivesareimpactedfromcombatexperiences. Aconcludingone-day workshop is held three weeks later during which the workshop therapists help participants process insights and remaining questions from the first workshop and its implications and assess if any additional therapeutic needs are present. The therapists guide group discussions focusing on how new insights and lessons from the workshops can be used to deal with future challenges. HOT just made a $8,452 grant to take one group of 12 off the waiting list and to provide forfollowuponeononetherapythatistypicallyneededbysomeinthegroup.We encourage our donors to designate gifts to take additional veterans off the waiting list.52'