Ma'ayan - Training Program for Mikvah Attendants in Women's Mental Health

Dr. Anat Abudi | Dr. Sofia Laufer | Dr. Noga Shiffman

Project Objective:

To create a training program that will help mikvah attendants identify mental health conditions that can receive appropriate support and establish ongoing connections with women's mental health centers.

Project Description:

A mikvah attendant (balanit) is a woman who assists other women in performing the ritual immersion according to Jewish law. She maintains an intimate monthly contact with women throughout their fertility years. Therefore, mikvah attendants can serve as "mental health ambassadors for women".

A training program will be developed to help these attendants identify mental health conditions that can be addressed and establish ongoing relationships with Mayanei Hayeshua Mental Health Center. The training will also teach attendants to recognize symptoms of post-trauma and how to act in a trauma-informed manner. Ethical discussions regarding handling sensitive information and medical confidentiality will be included. The program aims to reach a wide range of mikvahs, including those in the Haredi community, where the need is most acute.