Israel: Nova festival survivor dies by suicide on 22nd birthday after battling PTSD

One of the Supernova music festival survivors Shirel Golan - who faced the October 7 attack by Hamas - died by suicide on her 22nd birthday after suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, informed her family.

The heartbroken family of Shirel Golan said the girl was twice hospitalised since the massacre in which nearly approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed and another 250 were taken hostage by Hamas. It was an event which marked the beginning of the still ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The girl was founddead inherapartment which was locatedin Porat, central Israel,on Sunday (Oct 20).

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Also Read:Israel dismantles Iran ‘spy network’ in country, arrests seven citizens

“I saw that she had symptoms of post-traumatic stress, such as withdrawing and distancing herself from her friends. I asked her to take care of herself,” said her brother Eyal, while speaking to Hebrew media as reported by the Times of Israel.

State killed Golan, says grieving brother of Nova festival survivor

Golan was the youngest of five siblings and had plans to visit the Western Wall and the Cave of the Patriarchs to celebrate her 22nd birthday,said her family, while speaking to Ynet.

Eyal said that he had lived with his sister during the Sukkot holiday and she appeared okay to me.

“I asked how she was, and she said she was fine. I gave her a hug and a kiss, not realising it would be the last,” the brother said.

The family members of Golan blamed the Israeli government for not taking care of the survivors.

“If the state had taken care of her, none of this would have happened. She said that she doesn’t get any help from the state. She said that she only gets aid from the [Tribe of Nova Community Association],” Eyal said.

While speaking to the Jerusalem Post, the grieving brother said, “The state killed Golan. If the state doesn’t wake up, there will be more cases like this.”

Watch:Israel-Hezbollah War: Israel Says Military Will Target Sites Of Hezbollah Financier

The mother of Golan took early retirement to help her daughter recover from her PTSD, however, she failed to save her.

“My mother had to retire early to be near her daughter,” said Eyal, in conversation with Israel’s Channel 12 News. "We didn’t move a millimetre from her, and the only time we left her alone was today –and she decided to end her life," he added.

Eyal said that during the October 7 massacre, her sister got in a car with her friends to escape Hamas militants but then she had a bad feeling about it and got out of the car.

“Everyone who was in the car was murdered. Eleven people were murdered there. It was a death vehicle. She switched to a police car that took her to Kfar Maimon [a town in southern Israel]. And that’s how she was saved,” he said to Israel Hayom.

(With inputs from agencies)

Get help & support for suicide

If you or someone you know wants help for mental well-being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. You can contact local authorities and also encourage the person to contact asuicide prevention hotlineusing the information in the above link.WION is not associated with any of these organisations, and does not make any recommendations.