Following the Nova survivor who ended her life: Is it possible to prevent suicide?

The tragedy occurred yesterday (Sunday), when 22-year-old Golan was found lifeless in her apartment, on her birthday. Her family claimed that she suffered from post-trauma following the difficult events she experienced at the Nova festival on the seventh of October, and did not receive adequate treatment from the state authorities despite her mental illness.

Eyal Golan, Shiral’s brother, said that on the day of the incident, he and his brother set up a family car to help Shiral escape from the area. Fortunately, she was saved after getting into a policeman’s vehicle that rescued her to Kfar Maimon, while another vehicle she boarded earlier became a “Death car” in which 11 people were murdered.

According to Eyal, Shiral suffered from post-traumatic symptoms, including avoiding and distancing herself from her company. Despite the family’s efforts to encourage her to receive treatment, Shiral reported that she did not receive sufficient assistance from the state authorities. She was hospitalized twice at the Lev Hasharon Hospital in Pardesia, but according to the family, she was not officially recognized as suffering from post-trauma from the Nova events.

“Many of the survivors of the massacre suffer from severe post-trauma,” says Dr. Moran Shagiv, a psychiatry specialist at Assuta Medical Centers, who treats some of the survivors, “Many of them are unable to return to their previous lives. They suffer from constant anxiety, tension, flashbacks. Every boom from a volley brings back memories of things that used to be. Even TV commercials or anniversary events bring them back. People come to funerals and think that these shocking sights are under the grave on which they intend to kill.”

Dr. Segev explains that in addition to anxiety, the survivors also suffer from deep depression, nightmares, they do not sleep at night, are nervous, alert, and have difficulty concentrating even on daily tasks. A small part of them will also suffer from deterioration into serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

“The treatment for post-trauma is mainly psychotherapy together with targeted treatment for the symptoms of anxiety and depression,” explains Dr. Segev, “there are municipalities that have extended their protection to the survivors, such as the municipality of Karmiel that attached escorts and wrapped them up. There are associations that have joined and are trying to help. But it is the state’s job to locate all those who bought tickets, go through one by one, wrap them up, accompany them, and treat them properly.”

“People who are depressed should be asked directly – do you have the feeling that there is no more point in life, do you have thoughts of ending life or wait for it to come from above. Many times they will answer the truth, and if they suffer from suicidal thoughts, they will tell if they have a plan to do so , which is a significant warning light that requires the involvement of a professional. Many times, when the treatment is quick, it is possible to stop the suicidal process, but it is clear that this will not happen if the victim is not treated the next loss.”