Leah Shelef, PhD, is a clinical social worker and a professor at Sapir Academic College, where she serves as the Dean of the School of Social Work. In her last position, she was the Head of the Psychology Branch, Air Force, IDF Mental Health Department, Israeli Medical Corps (reserve). In her position at Sapir College, she has developed the field of trauma and PTSD within the curriculum. Sapir College is located near the Israeli border, which significantly impacts the local community and students who live in the area and have to deal with the reality of ongoing terror attacks. Her research interests include exploring the mechanisms through which stressful and traumatic events affect health (such as suicide and PTSD) and how an individual’s strategies, along with social and professional support, can mitigate these effects