Democrats Propose National Mental Health Recovery Plan

The Israeli Democratic party, led by Yair Golan, unveiled a national plan for mental health recovery following the October 7th Hamas attack and the subsequent war. The proposal commits to demanding the establishment of a national mental health recovery headquarters and allocating at least 1.5 billion shekels to the public mental health system in the next government.

This proposed headquarters would possess inter-ministerial authority, consolidating a multi-year plan to address the needs of combat soldiers, reservists, survivors of the October 7th massacre, bereaved families, evacuees, and children and their families dealing with psychological trauma. The plan is built on five core principles: proactive outreach to at-risk populations for early distress identification, creating a continuum of care from community support to intensive rehabilitation, shifting focus from disability percentage determination to recovery and healing, establishing a clear point of contact for patients, reducing waiting times, and setting professional standards, integrating technology, and increasing the number of therapists.

Democratic party chairman, retired Major General Yair Golan, stated that the trauma of October 7th and the ongoing war have resulted in a national mental health crisis, leaving an entire society without adequate support. He criticized the current system, saying, "It is unacceptable that a soldier who went out to defend the country will fight for two years with a lawyer to get recognition." Golan emphasized the party's commitment to establishing the national headquarters as a foundational demand for the next government, expressing confidence in broad support for the initiative. He envisions the headquarters leading collaborative efforts among various government bodies under a unified national plan, setting national goals, and mapping needs.

The plan was presented during a meeting between Golan and fellow Democratic party members Omri Ronen and Rotem Sivan, with Gil Sheli, the father of Yoav, who has been dealing with trauma since October 7th. Gil Sheli will serve as a project manager for the Democrats to advance the plan. Yoav Sheli, after surviving the Nova music festival, found a Hamas terrorist and fought them before IDF forces arrived. He later returned to service in Gaza and, after being released in early January, began struggling with psychological distress.

The event also included young individuals experiencing combat shock and post-traumatic stress disorder due to the war. One 25-year-old armored corps soldier, currently navigating the recognition process with the Ministry of Defense, expressed his frustration, stating, "I'm tired of feeling abandoned and alone, I need the country and I need it now."