Israel's Defense Ministry Warns of Growing Mental Health Crisis Among 26,200 War Casualties

The Rehabilitation Department of Israel's Ministry of Defense has released alarming data on the scale of war casualties and the sharp rise in those seeking mental health treatment. Currently, about 26,200 injured soldiers and security personnel are being treated, with approximately 65% requesting help for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, adjustment difficulties, depression, and other psychological injuries. The ministry projects that by 2028, the total number of treated casualties will reach around 100,000, with nearly 50,000 suffering from mental health issues.

The Defense Ministry warns that without immediate funding and implementation of recommendations from the public expert committee led by Professor Shlomo Mor Yosef, the rehabilitation system will be overwhelmed. Amir Baram, the ministry's Director General and retired general, emphasized at a Disabled IDF Veterans Organization conference that implementing these recommendations is a national duty, supported by both the Defense and Finance Ministers. He stressed that failure to act could cause the vital rehabilitation system to collapse under the growing burden.

Data shows that about 17,000 casualties face mental injuries, including 7,700 who also have physical injuries. Around 9,000 are treated for physical injuries alone, including 97 with limb amputations. Of the injured, 62% are reservists, 21% serve compulsory military service, 10% are Israeli Police personnel, and 7% are career soldiers. Men constitute 92% of those treated, women 8%, with nearly half (48%) of new patients under 30 years old.

During the war, mental health services expanded significantly, with around 4,000 mental health professionals, four times the number at the war's start, and the establishment of nine rehabilitation farms nationwide, mobile crisis mental health units, and a dedicated nursing ward for young patients. However, the ministry stresses that current resources remain insufficient given the scale of injuries and future projections, calling for a broad national initiative to sustain long-term care for war casualties.