Israeli Parties Outline Mental Health and Resilience Strategies

A review of Israeli political parties' stances on mental health and community resilience reveals diverse approaches to strengthening national well-being. The organization "121 - Engine for Social Change" surveyed parties on their plans for transferring resilience systems to local authorities, allocating dedicated mental health budgets, and alleviating the burden on social workers.

Parties like Yisrael Beiteinu and the Democrats advocate for a significant role for local authorities in providing mental health services, with the Democrats proposing a NIS 1.5 billion increase in public investment. Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, supports increasing the dedicated mental health budget without compromising other essential health services, suggesting funding through cuts to coalition funds and redundant government ministries. The Democrats, led by Yair Golan, plan to establish a national authority for mental resilience and trauma under the Ministry of Health, alongside community-based solutions and expanded psychological services in schools.

Other parties, such as the National Unity party led by Gadi Eisenkot, propose building rehabilitation and resilience systems close to home in cooperation with local authorities, including a national program for prevention and awareness. They also suggest strengthening social work staff with supplementary workers, improving salaries, and integrating AI for bureaucratic tasks. The Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, highlighted government initiatives like a national project for community health and resilience in 112 local authorities, funded at approximately NIS 30 million annually until mid-2027, and a significant increase in the mental health budget between 2024 and 2026.

Parties like Shas and Religious Zionism, led by Aryeh Deri and Bezalel Smotrich respectively, have supported the national community health and resilience initiative. Shas also noted an increase in the mental health budget during the war and a commitment to improving social workers' conditions. The Joint List, led by Yousef Jabareen, opposes transferring primary responsibility for resilience systems to local authorities, believing the Ministry of Health should lead the response, and advocates for increased overall health budgets rather than diverting funds from other areas.

Otzma Yehudit, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, supported strengthening social services in evacuated northern communities but did not present a national plan for reducing social worker caseloads. Yahadut HaTorah, led by Yaakov Asher, did not present specific stances on the examined issues. Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, supports involving local authorities but not solely transferring responsibility to them, emphasizing collaboration between government, local bodies, and civil society. The "Miluimnikim-HaKalkalit" list, led by Yoaz Hendel, advocates for local operational responsibility with state oversight and a significant increase in welfare and mental health services, aiming for national health expenditure to reach 8% of GDP.

Blue and White, led by Benny Gantz, proposes establishing a national authority for mental resilience and trauma under the Ministry of Health, with significant community-based responses. They plan to allocate dedicated budgets to local authorities for community resilience units and require them to employ specialized staff. The party also supports a national training program for trauma response and incentivizing mental health studies.