Enduring the tragedy of loss, Israeli families of suicide victims struggle to find a path to life
Bishvil Hahayim was officially founded in 2000, but founders worked for several years beforehand to create an organization that would help families and prevent these calamities.
When losing a loved one to suicide, it is often considered the most devastating loss, more tragic than death by war, terror attack, accident or illness. For Israeli mother Ofra Hermesh, who lost her eldest son Assaf to suicide 31 years ago, the grief is no less intense. Assaf's suicide shocked the family, as he was a verbal, intelligent child who struggled with fine motor skills.
He had ambitions to serve in the IDF, but his lack of motivation made it difficult to meet the requirements. On the day he took his own life, Assaf received a mobilization message and shot himself in a nearby field. Hermesh founded Path to Life, a support organization that aims to help bereaved families and prevent others from taking their own lives.
Despite the stigma that still surrounds suicide victims and their families, Hermesh and her daughters, who are now married, still honor Assaf's memory by keeping his belongings in their home. Path to Life, which was established nearly three decades ago, offers therapy to families, individuals, and siblings, and continues to work toward preventing suicide by educating young people about emotional well-being.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
