Jerusalem Crisis Intervention Center

The Jerusalem Crisis Intervention Center (JCIC) is a division of Hadassah University Medical Center's Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Under it's Director, Dr Esti Galili, JCIC has acquired an international reputation for outstanding healing, teaching and research in the critical field of child and adolescent mental health.

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

Watch video clip about the JCIC	Read AJN interview with Dr Esti Galili (May 2010)	Read the 2009 Progress Report for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Services
Click image above to view the video	Click image above to view PDF	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 of more than a year. In desperation, patients would approach emergency rooms which are not properly equipped to handle psychological treatment, and unable to adequately treat patients. Municipal and welfare authorities recognized that a vacuum existed, but did not have the resources available to offer a remedy, and so turned to Hadassah for assistance. With the generous support from Hadassah Australia’s donors, JCIC was able to open its doors in 2006.

Today, JCIC is 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 to children and adolescents, 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

Watch this space for information 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.