Staff: 2 doctors psychologist 1 9 nursing staff 1 social worer 1 secretary

Number of Beds: 9

Telephones: 6304711 -04 6304712 -04 6304717 -04 For more details: psychiatry@hillel-yaffe.health.gov.il

Description: The Psychiatry Unit was founded in 1997. This is the only psychiatric unit within a large geographical area, located in a general hospital. We offer clients short-term (up to one-month) open hospitalizations, with an emphasis on co-morbidity (combination of physical and emotional problems). We offer our clients combined therapies, drug and psychotherapy, including group treatment. The purpose of hospitalization in our unit are: 1. Clinical and psycho-diagnostic evaluation 2. Treatment of various emotional problems, such as: - Eating disorders - Compulsive disorders - Adjustment to traumatic events life - Acute states of mental illnesses 3. First rehabilitation, allowing the patient's return to optimal functioning The intervention is based on two important principles: - Systemic thinking: working with the families and relevant community services - Ensuring continuity of treatment following hospitalization We consult medical specialists in the other departments in HYMC. We also help other physicians with the identification and treatment of hospitalized patients. Our psychiatrists conduct a follow-up of those patients while hospitalized in other departments, referring them to continued psychiatric treatment, as needed. We strive to provide a liaison service, in the broad sense of the term, including helping physicians deal with their patients' emotional problems in addition to organizing support groups for patients with varous physical pathologies. In the field of our work we try to use the most advanced achievements of modern medicine, including the newest medications and the most modern psychological methods, while continually updating our knowledge of the latest developments in professional literature. We have organized conferences for the professional public on the cultural aspects of psychiatric illness in the Ethiopian community and on the subject of suicide. These programs were met with great interest and appreciation among various professional groups: physicians, psychologists, social workers and community workers. One of our main intersets is scientific (research) activities on the topic of co-morbidity.