Israel's mental health crisis in the wake of Oct. 7 attacks
More than a third of Israelis have shown symptoms of mental health conditions, a report found. Three years after the October 7 attack, the country's health system is still struggling to come to terms with its effects.
Three years after the October 7 attacks, Israel faces a mental health crisis of staggering proportions. Roughly 3 million Israelis, including around 600,000 severely affected individuals, have reported experiencing post-traumatic symptoms, depression, or anxiety. Despite increased funding and job openings, the country's public mental health system remains overstretched, with waiting times for treatment exceeding six months in many cases.
Combat soldiers, too, have been disproportionately affected, with a sharp rise in suicide cases among reservists. Ronen Shalev, whose life was irrevocably changed by the attacks, now advocates for breaking the taboo around suicide, urging those who believe they are strong to seek help.
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