70% Surge in Mental Health Disorders in Israel Following Gaza War
The Daily Telegraph, citing statistics from a major mental health center in Israel, has reported that since the start of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, post-traumatic stress disorder among Israeli citizens has increased by 70%.
The report states that just this month, three cases of suicide have been recorded within the Israeli military, bringing the total number of suicides since the beginning of this year to 17—a figure described by the media outlet as the highest in the past 15 years.
According to the report, the Clalit Medical Center, one of the largest providers of mental health services in Israel, has recently identified this significant increase. The Daily Telegraph added that Israeli society has been facing an ongoing mental health crisis since the start of the Gaza war, with chronic disorder cases also on the rise.
Professor Amir Krivi, director of a major psychiatric hospital in East Tel Aviv, has warned that the number of people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder will likely continue to rise, at least in the short term. He stated that existing data indicates the scope of mental health problems is broader than official statistics suggest.
He further explained that information related to the military personnel’s mental health is treated separately within the military’s medical structure and is not publicly disclosed. Krivi also emphasized that the shortage of trained psychiatrists and psychologists is a serious current challenge, and without proper care, some individuals may turn to alcohol or drug use.
