United Hatzalah and MOSHE leadership – Photo credit United Hatzalah
United Hatzalah Partners with Leading Suicide Prevention Group MOSHE to Combat Suicide in Israel
United Hatzalah, Israel’s largest volunteer emergency medical services (EMS) organization, met last week with the leadership of MOSHE – Words That Make a Difference, a leading Israeli suicide prevention group, to discuss further professional collaboration on responding to and preventing cases of suicide.
The visit, which took place at United Hatzalah’s Jerusalem headquarters, highlighted the potential for synergy between the two organizations, particularly in addressing complex emergencies involving psychological trauma.
MOSHE CEO and Founder Gal Nissim Emanuel and Professional Director Adi Eshel provided insights into their work and conducted a workshop for members of United Hatzalah’s Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit, which specializes in providing psychological first aid to relatives or eyewitnesses at the scene of difficult emergencies.
During the workshop, MOSHE’s professionals emphasized that reality has proven that suicide is preventable, and with the right training, anyone can prevent the next suicide. The training offered practical tools for daily operations, further equipping United Hatzalah’s first responders with the ability to respond effectively to mental health crises.
“The strengthening connection between United Hatzalah and MOSHE is significant and important in many ways, especially in terms of suicide prevention and saving lives,” said MOSHE CEO and Founder Gal Nissim Emanuel.
“United Hatzalah volunteers on the front lines are natural partners in making a difference in suicide prevention cases,” continued Emanuel. “MOSHE’s knowledge and simple tools, combined with United Hatzalah’s strength, are a real breakthrough for suicide prevention. We share a vision, both in terms of values and practical implementation. MOSHE looks up to United Hatzalah for inspiration, commitment, and professionalism. The senior management team, led by President Eli Beer and Deputy CEO Eli Pollak, along with Vice President Lazar Hyman, who is also a board member of MOSHE, is always open to MOSHE, and this is a central axis for joint action.”
Both organizations share core values of providing free services, relying on trained volunteers from within the community, and filling crucial gaps in national healthcare provision.
The meeting explored potential collaborations, including joint training initiatives and the integration of MOSHE’s expertise into United Hatzalah’s emergency response protocols and initiatives, including the Weisz Family IMAH Initiative, which trains and places Israeli widows in the field of emergency medicine.
Eli Beer, President and Founder of United Hatzalah, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Our 7,000 volunteers across 85 branches respond to an average of 2,000 calls daily. Many of these situations involve psychological distress. The expertise MOSHE brings in suicide prevention and mental health support could be invaluable in enhancing our volunteers’ ability to handle these sensitive cases.”
Photo credit: United Hatzalah
