Khaberni - Thousands of mental health professionals warned of an "unprecedented psychological and social emergency" in Israel, due to the cries of the affected and those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from the events of October 7 and the war.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, after the outcries from those affected and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder about the difficult psychological situation they are experiencing in the aftermath of October 7 and the war, professionals have also joined their demands. Tens of thousands of therapists in the field of mental health - including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and art therapists - have come together to warn of an "unprecedented psychological and social emergency".
In an urgent appeal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they called on the government to immediately take action to provide a broad response to the psychological difficulties arising from the war.
In a message that is unprecedented in its intensity, the therapists, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and art therapists, warned that "Israeli mental health is undergoing a catastrophic and unprecedented crisis. The long-bleeding traumatic wound has led to extremely high costs, and the data we have collected leaves no room for doubt: the present also imposes a heavy psychological toll - both individually and collectively."
The unions also wrote that "the Israeli spirit has suffered a disaster, and its deterioration - in the absence of a broad and professional response - is expected to occur in the near future."
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the Ministry of Health and various health institutions, including health funds, have made significant efforts over the past two years to meet the immense demand for mental health services in Israel, but the chronic historical neglect of decades in workforce, infrastructure, and budgets in this area makes it very difficult to narrow the gaps quickly enough.
