[SOTERIA HOUSE, A NEW SERVICE FOR PREVENTING PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION: THREE VIGNETTES AND A DISCUSSION].

Inspired by a model developed in the early 1970s in the USA for the treatment of people in the throes of a mental crisis, often psychotic, the first "Soteria House" was established in Jerusalem in September 2016. The purpose of the house is to prevent psychiatric hospitalization, to offer a supportive therapeutic community and to help the person return to life in the community in the best possible manner. Treatment at the house is characterized by the absence of coercion of any kind, including the use of drugs, a high staff: patient ratio, and the absence of the stigma which too often accompanies psychiatric care. This model was recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Health in September 2017 under the name "Stabilizing House", and since its establishment until today (May 2018) four more houses of its kind have been established. We present three brief case studies of individuals who received care in Soteria.