Israel Faces Mental Health Crisis After October 7: State Comptroller Report

Watan-The Israeli State Comptroller, Matanyahu Englman, released a report on Tuesday highlighting serious health and psychological crises in Israel following the events of October 7, 2023.

Widespread Psychological Impact

The report found that 38% of respondents in a survey conducted by the comptroller’s office suffer from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety at moderate to severe levels. This translates to approximately 3 million Israeli adults being affected, including 580,000 experiencing severe symptoms.

Healthcare System Failing to Meet Demand

The report emphasized that the main issue is not just the high number of affected individuals but also the Israeli healthcare system’s inability to provide adequate treatment. Around 900,000 people who reported experiencing these symptoms have not sought treatment, primarily due to long waiting times of up to 6.5 months for psychological care.

Such delays mean that many affected individuals risk worsening conditions, increasing long-term health and social risks.

Systemic Failures in Mental Health Care

The comptroller’s report harshly criticized Israel’s healthcare system, stating that the government has failed to adequately address the psychological crisis. Despite urgent needs, only 11% of those evacuated from areas near Gaza received any form of mental health care in the six months following the war.

Children Among the Most Affected

Children were particularly vulnerable, with the report revealing that 10,500 children were evacuated from Sderot. However, only 4% of them received psychological care, despite 39% of parents reporting high levels of anxiety among their children.

Neglect of Nova Festival Survivors

Most survivors of the Nova music festival suffered severe psychological distress, yet only 24% of those who needed treatment received and completed it, highlighting a major gap in Israel’s mental healthcare system.

The report also criticized Israel’s Ministry of Health and health insurance funds for failing to proactively reach out to survivors and make sufficient efforts to locate or assess their mental health conditions. Additionally, it pointed out that the ministry was unprepared for a crisis of this magnitude, despite prior large-scale evacuation scenarios that should have prompted readiness.

Economic Consequences of the Mental Health Crisis

The mental health crisis not only affects individuals and their families but also poses a significant threat to Israel’s economy. The report warned that untreated psychological conditions could lead to chronic mental health disorders, impacting individuals’ ability to work and contribute to the economy.

This crisis could place a heavy financial burden on Israel, increasing pressure on national insurance pensions and social welfare systems. The report stressed the need for urgent government intervention to mitigate these negative effects on society and the economy.

Call for Government Action

In conclusion, the State Comptroller urged the Israeli government to adopt a comprehensive, long-term plan to address the mental health crisis resulting from the October 7 attacks and the “Swords of Iron” war. He also emphasized the need for sufficient budget allocations to improve mental health services and reduce waiting times.

The report underscored that Israel has a “moral obligation to care for those suffering from mental trauma, especially victims of hostilities, and to help them reintegrate into their daily lives.”