ICAR Summit: Innovating Mental Health Solutions in Times of Crisis
Written by Naomi Miller, MIBA Director of Missions
At the end of February, the Israel MIBA team attended a most inspiring summit run by ICAR, Israel’s Collective Action for Resilience. Established soon after the atrocities of October 7, 2023, ICAR identified the fragmented nature of the nation’s mental health and trauma care and sought to streamline it. Their mission is to bring together Israeli and global leaders in the areas of psychology, medicine, investment and philanthropy to coordinate and accelerate trauma healing. They defined the summit as “a launchpad for a mental health movement.”
ICAR has entered new and fertile territory in Israel. While trauma and PTSD have been widely acknowledged in the past, the subject was often absent or neglected in previous conflicts and viewed as a marginal issue. It is now being explored on a national level, with most speakers referring to a nation still immersed in the trauma of October 7, not yet reaching the post stage. One in four Israelis have admitted to an increase of substance use since the war broke out. That said, there was a strong emphasis on the need for early intervention to avoid long term mental health consequences.
ICAR is mapping the field of mental health and prioritizing areas of impact. It is establishing national treatment protocols to create change and to fully integrate mental health into government and community initiatives, healthcare, policy and technology.
Since October 7, necessity and resilience have pushed Israeli technology into a mental health boom. 117 startups have been established, focusing on trauma, self-care and social and personal resilience. 2024 saw significant growth in funding with a rise of over 66% since 2023 in the mental health innovation space.
Gila Tolub, the founder of ICAR, believes that “the world is looking at Israel as a petri dish for mental health. I think Israel didn’t become a leader in defense technology or cybersecurity out of pure luck. Necessity is the mother of innovation, and I think mental health technology is the next big thing.”
