Sahar on Righteous Crowd this Week!

Sahar

Online Support for Emotional Distress

This past Tuesday was Israel’s Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) followed by Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day) on Wednesday. May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, so in that spirit, this week’s organization provides online support to people in Israel experiencing emotional distress. Sahar volunteers work with those who are in at‐risk situations such as abuse, eating disorders or are contemplating suicide and surfing the web in need of support. With so many people out of work or working remotely, Sahar has been able to do more online training for volunteers who want to staff the hotline. There has been an increase in mental health issues since the onset of the virus and the help which Sahar provides is even more critical now. 

Thank you to our friends at the Good People Fund and the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey for telling us about this life saving organization in Israel. The Good People Fund shared: 

“Years ago, Liora Arnon‘s search for resources for an anorexic friend led her to an article by Professor Azi Barak from Haifa University who described two distinct connections between online behavior and suicide. In one way, clearly the most dangerous, online behavior can actually encourage suicide, providing knowledge and encouragement. More positively, though, online connections can actually allow for positive dialogue and emotional support, thus keeping the individual safe from harm.

Liora contacted the professor and with the help of others similarly interested in the possibilities, formed SAHAR (a Hebrew acronym for “Support and Listening on the Web”).  SAHAR is a professionally trained, volunteer-driven organization that provides free online support to people in emotional distress, and a website with extensive articles and other support materials. Today, utilizing new technology, volunteers can actually scan social media identifying messages of distress and offer help.”

To read more about Sahar, click here.
To see past organizations Righteous Crowd supported, click here.