In an age when mental health tools are increasingly going digital, one small feature launched by ELI: The Israel Association for Child Protection, is proving to be a quiet but powerful step forward.

It’s called the “Purple Button,” and while it may appear unremarkable at first glance, its impact is anything but. With a single click, individuals can reach out for help, report abuse, or connect with professionals which is an important shift in a country facing a rise in trauma-related mental health cases.

Eran Zimrin, President and CEO of ELI. “It lowers the barrier to entry for those who might not otherwise seek help. Especially teens or caregivers who are unsure of what to do.”

A National Mental Health Safety Net

Founded in 1979, ELI is Israel’s leading organization focused exclusively on child protection. It provides trauma-informed therapy, crisis intervention, and awareness education related to all forms of abuse. What sets ELI apart is its family-centered approach: therapists work not only with the child, but often with parents, siblings, and extended family members.

This holistic model is designed to break intergenerational cycles of abuse and create long-term mental health stability within the family unit. In a typical year, ELI provides care to over 4,000 children and their families, administering more than 1,000 hours of therapy per week.

As trauma rates increase following events like the October 7 attacks and continued regional violence, ELI has expanded its capacity. In 2024 alone, the organization has responded to over 10,000 reports, with 77% related to sexual abuse which is a figure that underscores the need for accessible entry points to care like the Purple Button.

Trauma Care That Begins at Home

Mental health support can be difficult to navigate even in the best of circumstances. Add trauma, displacement, or instability into the equation, and families may not know where to turn. The Purple Button removes friction from the first step, allowing users to discreetly and quickly connect with ELI’s professional team.

But technology is only one piece. ELI’s real impact lies in its therapeutic model, which emphasizes trust, communication, and family involvement. Services are tailored to the child’s developmental stage and emotional state—often through creative expression like art, music, or storytelling. For families, this helps normalize discussion of difficult topics and encourages healthy coping strategies that extend beyond therapy.

A Response to Growing Demand

The last several years have seen a sharp increase in complex trauma cases across Israel, particularly among children. The ongoing war and related displacement have amplified stress at home, which research consistently links to increases in domestic violence and emotional distress. ELI reaches those seeking therapeutic support amid instability.

In response, the organization created a fund to provide trauma therapy for the most impacted communities. Among those served in the first weeks of the war were 700 children and 1300 adults, (including 200 older adults, and more than 100 caregivers), a reflection of ELI’s broad focus on vulnerable populations

And the need continues to grow. Despite ELI’s achievements, long-term trauma care remains underfunded in Israel, especially for children. The Purple Button is helping close this gap one child, and one family at a time.

Building a Scalable, Community-Centered Model

While much of ELI’s work is grounded in in-person care, the success of the Purple Button signals the potential for hybrid models of intervention that combine tech-enabled access with clinical depth. The button now accounts for 85% of new reports which is a clear indicator that digital entry points can play a vital role in early intervention.

The organization also runs prevention programs in schools, reaching more than 100,000 children annually. These efforts have led to the disclosure of over 1,500 new abuse cases each year and is proof that when children are given the tools and language to speak, they often do.

A Model Worth Watching

For healthcare professionals, policy makers, and child protection advocates, ELI offers a replicable model of trauma-informed care that integrates accessibility, family engagement, and long-term support. In a world where stigma around abuse still silences too many, simple tools like the Purple Button are helping open doors to conversation, to care, and to healing.