The Open Line for Students in the Gulf War in Israel

Abstract

The Israeli Ministry of Education and Culture Open Line for Students handled thousands of calls from students, parents and teachers during the Gulf War. The Open Line team consisted then of over thirty professionals using nine telephone lines, twelve hours a day. The professional approach was based on principles of treatment of stress, short-term counselling and intervention via the telephone. In short-term therapy and telephone intervention it is assumed that most clients are normally functioning people who have become involved in an abnormal situation. Therefore, brief orientation, guidance and counselling may assist in returning them promptly to a state of adaptive coping. The principles of treatment of stress consist of (1) strengthening the client's ability to function and cope; (2) encouraging self-perception of health and hardiness; (3) referral to a trusted leadership and creating a local one; (4) promoting social cohesion and support; and (5) legitimizing social exchange. Our experience led us to the following conclusions regarding the educational system: in emergencies, schools must continue to operate and function even when they are ordered to close; the open line can be used to assist in coping in an emergency; in emergencies, it is advisable to encourage students to turn for help to their school's staff; professionals who help others in an emergency need support for themselves; every school must prepare programmes in advance to cope with specific emergencies. The conclusions with regard to the home front in a state of emergency were that the closure of schools was a national question; advance practice in using protective gear is needed; provision of early and accurate information reduces helplessness; the community support framework must be planned.