Ezer Mizion’s Mental Health Division hosted a seminar to train mentors and coaches. The seminar was geared for new staff members who recently joined the division as part of the mentoring and coaching staff. The goal of the event was to give the new workers knowledge and practical tools to assist them in their important and challen
ging task of supporting people struggling with mental illness.
Mentoring and coaching support services are provided by Ezer Mizion to people who are coping with mental illness and need help and guidance in achieving the ability to function well within the community. The service is administered on a one-on-one basis, and is based on a connection fostered between the mentor and the client, a bond founded on trust and mutual respect. The mentor/coach follows a personal rehabilitation plan that is planned designed together with the client in order to help him actualize his personal goals and progress towards independent functioning in the community. The objective is to improve the person’s quality of life and expand his level of satisfaction with his situation.
The training seminar was the product of a collaborative effort of professionals at Ezer Mizion’s Mental Health Division and representatives of the Rehabilitation Package at the Health Ministry-Tel Aviv region: Ms. Sara Kriel, Regional Rehab Coordinator, and Ms. Racheli Stern, Vice-coordinator for the Tel Aviv region. 
The representatives took a significant and active part in conveying the seminar subject matter, such as: Which services are included in the Rehabilitation Package, the roles of a mentor/coach, putting limits on the rehabilitative bond, the vision of recovery from mental illness, social stigmas, and more.
The program opened with warm greetings from Rabbi Chananya Chollak, International Chairman of Ezer Mizion, who emphasized the importance of their work and the crucial role they play when they form a bond with people in crisis, who so desperately need a guiding hand and a listening ear.
The lectern was then handed over to psychiatric physician Dr. Levi, from the Marbeh Da’at Clinic (Chib”a), who delivered a fascinating lecture on the subject of schizophrenia and how to deal with it.
Next, the participants split into smaller groups to discuss topics related to rehabilitative work on the field and the rehabilitative bond, following a work-sheet with guiding questions. The groups also analyzed a case presented by a veteran mentor, who spoke about the rehabilitative process experienced by the client she has been working with over the past three years. 
The case description powerfully illustrated the importance of a meaningful relationship in the life of a person struggling with mental illness.
A genuine bond of this kind enables the person to actualize his personal goals and helps him foster hope and faith in his abilities. Gradually and with great sensitivity, the mentor can walk his client towards realization of his personal potential and actualization of his hopes and dreams. The case description was very moving and endowed the other participants in the discussion with strength, optimism, and practical tools to use in their challenging work.
Thank you to all the people who worked and contributed to the success of this important event.
