As Passover and other significant Israeli national holidays approach, mental health experts are bracing for an especially challenging period for Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These holidays, combined with wartime stresses, present a heightened risk of mental health decline, according to officials in a Sunday briefing.
Limor Luria, Deputy Director General at the Defense Ministry and head of its Rehabilitation Department, emphasized that holidays and memorial days, especially during wartime, are particularly difficult for soldiers battling PTSD.
This year, multiple important events—Passover, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day—fall in April, further increasing mental health concerns.
Efrat Shaprot, CEO of NATAL, a nonprofit providing psychological support to victims of war and terror, said, “We always see a rise in adversity during this period, certainly amid war.” She stressed the need for raising awareness ahead of the holidays to help those in need.
Luria pointed out that individuals without strong family support are especially vulnerable. She encouraged the public to offer assistance to those in need and to be vigilant for warning signs of emotional distress, such as mood swings, irritability, or self-neglect.
The Defense Ministry outlined the best ways to support someone in distress, such as offering a listening ear, providing hope, and being aware of behavior changes. Specialists recommend asking direct yet compassionate questions, like, “Are you thinking about death?” to encourage open conversation and motivate at-risk individuals to seek professional help.
The Rehabilitation Department offers various services, including a 24/7 hotline, access to mental health specialists, and an app called “The PTSD Guide” that provides helpful resources.
Since the October 7 Hamas attack, the department has assisted 16,500 wounded soldiers, nearly half of whom are being treated for PTSD. This marks a stark contrast to pre-war statistics, where only 25% of the 62,000 soldiers treated for injuries had psychological wounds.
Luria emphasized that the department has streamlined the referral process, allowing individuals to easily access services through the Rehabilitation Department’s website. However, Idan Kaliman, chairman of the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, warned that the department’s ability to provide adequate support is hindered by a lack of funding and staffing.
Kaliman cautioned that as long as the Rehabilitation Department remains underfunded, preventable suicides due to PTSD will continue. January statistics from the IDF showed a troubling rise in suspected military suicides amid the ongoing conflict.
Since the October 7 attack, 28 soldiers have reportedly died by suicide, compared to just 10 in 2023. In 2022 and 2021, the IDF documented 14 and 11 suspected suicides, respectively, highlighting the severe psychological toll of the war.
The IDF also reported that many reservists have stepped back from combat due to mental stress, though further data was not disclosed.
In March, Israel hosted its first International Rehabilitation Conference, where global experts discussed recovery processes for injured security personnel. At the conference, Luria emphasized the department’s focus on providing immediate rehabilitation without bureaucratic delays, offering mental health support to families in need.
Looking ahead, the Rehabilitation Department projects that it will need to treat around 100,000 injured personnel by 2030, half of whom are expected to suffer from PTSD.
Recent IDF statistics revealed that 82% of the 3,000 soldiers who underwent mental health assessments since the October 7 attack have returned to combat.
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