Donations will go to Catharsis Holistic Healing, which provides therapy support in the West Bank
and will send therapists to Gaza as soon as the war is over.
A Conversation with Dr. Gabor Maté
No statement, no words can speak to the immense human suffering, the devastation and the horrendous humanitarian crisis intensifying in the Middle East. The current tragedy is awakening existential fear, acute grief and deep despair. Unspeakable atrocities have left many in a state of deep shock and in need of support.
We are grieving with those of you experiencing the devastating loss of loved ones at this time. Although the conflict may seem far away for many, it has touched us nonetheless. Some of us might feel scared, others enraged, others paralyzed. Many feel shaken by the real possibility of a larger-scale war bleeding into the world.
Such raw times call us to walk softly, to speak firmly yet with compassion, and not fall into simplistic black and white narratives. They call us to look deeply at our own bias and more than ever not to lose sight of our shared humanity. We can stand against violence while seeking understanding. We can grieve the loss of innocent life in Israel and in Gaza. We can oppose antisemitism and islamophobia, denounce terrorist attacks and collective punishment.
Our SAND community includes a rich tapestry of healers, therapists, scientists, spiritual leaders, and change makers. In times of crisis, we may be called on to tend to others in increasing ways, to offer our help in navigating all the trauma.
Two years ago we released the film The Wisdom of Trauma, with Dr. Gabor Maté, which has been seen by over 10 million viewers globally. The film was screened in Ramallah and Tel Aviv and has helped many understand and address personal trauma.
Yet no trauma is ever only personal, it has roots in collective and intergenerational wounds we all have inherited. As our world ignites, some of the oldest wounds may come to the surface; we might struggle to make sense of and respond to the crisis.
Our hearts break every day that hostages are not released, every day that the death toll reaches new highs. In Gaza, a child is killed every 15 minutes as we write. We cannot remain silent in front of the ongoing bloodshed.
We have invited Dr. Gabor Maté to address some of the pressing questions on our hearts, and to offer his insights on the unfolding tragedy. In this dialogue, we will explore the roots of systemic violence, the impacts of historical and intergenerational trauma, and pathways to restore our shared humanity. How might we break tragic cycles of trauma transmission, widen our circles of compassion, and stand for dignity and justice?
Gabor Maté, M.D. is a renowned speaker, and bestselling author who is is highly sought after for his expertise on a range of topics including addiction, stress and childhood development. Rather than offering quick-fix solutions to these complex issues, Dr. Maté weaves together scientific research, case histories, and his own insights and experience to present a broad perspective that enlightens and empowers people to promote their own healing and that of those around them. After 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, Dr. Maté worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. His book on addiction received the Hubert Evans Prize for literary non-fiction. For his groundbreaking medical work and writing he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian distinction, and the Civic Merit Award from his hometown, Vancouver. His next book, Hello Again: A Fresh Start for Parents and Their Adult Children is expected in 2025. Gabor is also the creator of a psychotherapeutic approach, Compassionate Inquiry, now studied by thousands of therapists, physicians, counselors, and others in over 80 countries.
Donations will go to Catharsis Holistic Healing, which provides therapy support in the West Bank
and will send therapists to Gaza as soon as the war is over.