Jerusalem Crisis Intervention Center

There are few things more disturbing than children in distress.  Fear and uncertainty are a natural part of every child’s development; sadly, when that child is faced with the added pressure of living in a state of conflict, be it within or beyond the family, it can create significant issues that can impact well beyond childhood.  This was the driver behind the creation of the Jerusalem Crisis Intervention Center (JCIC), a division of Hadassah University Medical Center's Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

The JCIC is regarded internationally as one of the foremost healing, teaching and research programs in the critical field of child and adolescent mental health.   It is so important to the community, and of such significance to the standing of Israel, that Hadassah Australia adopted it as a major cause.

Its Director is Dr Esti Galili, an inspirational leader in her field.

JCIC is located in Ethiopia Street in the heart of Jerusalem. It provides immediate responses to the urgent needs of children in distress.  Jerusalem is one of the poorest cities in Israel and JCIC has an open door policy, serving the children and adolescents of the greater metropolitan area.  Many of them are from immigrant families and those resident in the Territories.

Watch video clip about the JCIC	Read AJN interview with Dr Esti Galili (May 2010)	View the 2009 Progress Report for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Services	View the 2011 Flyer
Click image above to view the video	Click image above to view PDF	Click image above to view / print report	Click image above to view PDF

JCIC has 3 aims:

• To significantly improve the health and well-being of the children and adolescents of Jerusalem
• To provide a walk-in crisis centre where children and adolescents suffering from early stage Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and psychological stress can seek immediate evaluation and treatment
• To reduce overcrowding and lengthy waiting lists at Hadassah’s Pediatric Center and other public clinics in Jerusalem, providing an alternative to those patients who would ordinarily turn to emergency rooms for treatment.

What makes JCIC unique?

Prior to 2006, Hadassah's Pediatric Center and other public clinics in Jerusalem were overcrowded with waiting lists extending out to more than a year.  In desperation patients were approaching public hospital emergency rooms which are not properly equipped to handle the often complex needs of patients requiring psychological treatment.

Municipal and welfare authorities recognized the need for a specialist facility but did not have the resources to establish it.  They turned to Hadassah for assistance.  All of that changed when JCIC opened its doors in 2006 following the generous support from Hadassah Australia’s donors.

JCIC remains the only centre in Jerusalem providing psychological treatment to children and adolescents requiring immediate assistance. With the constant threat of violence having a significant impact on the children of Jerusalem, the demand for psychological services continues to increase resulting in children manifesting their anxiety in a wide range of behavioural and emotional symptoms at school, in the home and in the community.

JCIC provides vital early screening and short-term intervention, thereby minimizing the acceleration of their problems and increasing the likelihood of successful treatment. The Center’s professional staff develop tailor-made treatment plans in crisis intervention, identifying the special needs of each child and integrating appropriate therapies.

Dr Esti Galil - Director,JCIC with Ron Finkel - President, Hadassah Australia - May 2010
(click to view larger image)

JCIC and Research Programs

Hadassah Australia will shortly release details on a valuable research program being developed with a major Australian university and hospital.

For more information on JCIC and giving to the Center, please contact Hadassah Australia.