Zachter Family National Trauma Center

Leading our Crisis Response Team are internationally-renowned trauma expert Dr. Norman Blumenthal, Ohel's Zachter Family Chair in Trauma and Crisis, and Yitz Elman, Director of Mental Health Services. When an accident or untimely death, suicide, life‑threatening trauma, or act of violence in the community occur, we are ready to help.

Services we provide include:

• Expert advice on explaining untimely death to a shocked community.
• Guidance through the bereavement process.

Our diverse, professional team is available to communities both in the New York metropolitan area and across the country. Our Crisis Response staff includes licensed psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, art therapists, and other staff experienced in providing crisis counseling. This multi-cultural team can serve diverse communities with language proficiency in Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian, Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

The helpline is a confidential space where educators and youth support professionals can get support and guidance.  Under the supervision of Dr. Norman Blumenthal, the helpline is staffed by a team of experienced school psychologists and mental health professionals, available to provide free, confidential, one-on-one support, and links to professional help and resources as needed. 

718-686-3230

Summer Helpline Hours:
Monday-Wednesday: 8pm-10pm EST

New Hours for the 2023-24 School Year:
Monday-Wednesday: 12pm-1pm EST
Wednesday-Thursday: 4pm-6pm EST

Funded by UJA-Federation of New York

Ohel's broad range of programs serves individuals at home and in the community, children both in and out of school, and employees and employers in the workplace. Trauma programs are launched in direct response to crises such as mass shootings, fires, accidents, floods, and most recently, COVID-19. Our work can alleviate the suffering of thousands of individuals who experience the impact of a disaster event.

From trauma counseling services to community education and outreach, we bring comfort and support to trauma victims while preparing individuals, institutions, and communities to cope with the ongoing effects of the tragedy. Our community-oriented specialists are also multilingual and speak Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Mandarin.