Teachers as caregivers: mental health consultation in an army base

This article recounts the application of mental health consultation techniques to a special army framework. Specifically, female soldiers serving as teachers for a problematic population of male recruits, received group consultation from a psychologist serving in the reserves. By training the teachers as therapeutic agents or caregivers for the soldiers, it was hoped to achieve greater effectiveness in their work, and to reach individually as many soldiers as possible. These soldiers were taking part in a special enrichment and training program organized by Zahal (Israel Defense Forces) for those whose illiteracy or emotional difficulties had exempted them in the past from regular army service. The consultation process and subjects raised at group sessions are discussed.