The non-profit organization  "Bishvil Hahayim" was established in the year 2000 by families bereaved by suicide, and professionals in the field of mental health. The organization works in two main areas:

  • Assistance and support for bereaved families of suicide, traffic accidents, and homicide.
  • Suicide prevention at the national level.

Donate to Bishvil Hahayim

Support for Bereaved Families

The death of a loved one is a difficult and unsettling event, especially when the loss is sudden, and goes against the natural course of life. Bereavement following suicide, homicide, or a traffic accident creates a crisis for the family members, and the grieving process is especially complex. The initial period after the tragedy is a very confusing time, rife with feelings of helplessness, and loss of hope, and often also with guilt, failure, anger, and shame. Guidance and assistance during the initial stages are especially critical and significant for coping with the grief and rebuilding life alongside the loss.

Support Centers

"Bishvil Hahayim" runs four support centers for bereaved families of suicide, traffic accident, and homicide on behalf of the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Services. The support centers are in the center and south of the country. Another organization, the Elah Center, runs the centers in the north and the Jerusalem area.

The support is given according to predefined criteria, including:

  • The loss occurred in the past 5 years.
  • A first-degree relative.

The services offered

  • Support provided by social workers.
  • Support provided by volunteers.
  • Individual, couple, and family therapy at subsidized cost.
  • Support groups for bereaved parents, siblings, spouses, and children (from the age of 18) led by professional facilitators.
  • Spiritual support.
  • Community activities for bereaved families.


For support for bereaved families call: +972-54-4493113 or email: [email protected]

(emails may be sent in English)

Yad Be'Yad (Hand in Hand)

A volunteer program in which one-on-one support is given by volunteers out of the perspective that “a stranger won’t understand”. The volunteers have experienced first-hand loss in the family, they had received support from Bishvil Hahayim and have processed their grief in a sufficient way to be able to help others. Yad Be'Yad volunteers are matched with a family member according to the relation to the deceased and the type of loss. Support is given through phone calls, Zoom, or face-to-face meetings.

To receive a volunteer’s support, contact the Yad Be’yad coordinator, Livnat Itali:
[email protected] (emails may be sent in English)

Facebook Group for Bereaved Families and Friends of Suicide Loss

Bishvil Hahayim runs a closed Facebook group for family members and friends bereaved by suicide called "Living with the Loss". It is a kind of virtual support group in which the support is provided by the group members.

Volunteering at Bishvil Hahayim

Bishvil Hahayim is mainly a volunteer organization. Most of the volunteers are family members or friends who have experiences a loss and had received support in processing their grief. Volunteering enables them to grow from their tragedy and transform their pain into social action.

Besides family members, some mental health professionals volunteer in the organization.

"Bishvil Hahayim" invites family members, friends and mental health professionals to join and take part in the volunteering  activities. Our volunteers receive a professional training and a close personal support supervision.
The areas in which you can volunteer:

  • Yad Be'Yad (Hand in Hand) Program
  • Suicide Awareness and Prevention Lectures
  • Steering Committees

For questions about volunteering, contact the Volunteering Coordinator, Sagit Solomon Levy: [email protected] (emails may be sent in English, Arabic, Russian, French, and Amharic)

חיפוש באתר

פנייה לקבלת תמיכה

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שאלות לאגף המחקר

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הצטרפות לפרוייקט פנים אבודות

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הזמנת הרצאות

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הרשמה - התנדבות

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לקבלת תמיכה יד ביד

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