MK Michal Waldiger Reveals Personal Struggle Behind Mental Health Advocacy Amid War Trauma Surge

During Channel 14's Resilience and Mental Health Conference, MK Michal Waldiger, chair of the Labor and Welfare Committee, shared a rare and personal insight into her motivation for focusing on mental health issues in her parliamentary work. She revealed that having a family member with mental health challenges plunged her into a deep personal crisis, describing it as a moment when "the rug was pulled out from under me." Waldiger recounted the difficult journey of recovery, emphasizing the strength required to overcome the darkness and her determination to prevent others from experiencing similar lows.

Waldiger highlighted the severe impact of the ongoing war on Israel's mental health system, presenting alarming statistics: prior to the conflict, around 10,000 Israelis received treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but now approximately 100,000 people are affected, a tenfold increase. She also noted that about 60% of new casualties since the war began on October 7 are suffering from mental health issues.

Criticizing years of neglect, Waldiger described the mental health system as "dried out" and at the bottom of the priority list, which left it unprepared for the current crisis. She stressed that when a system fails in routine times, it collapses in emergencies. Waldiger called for comprehensive government support that includes families, as mental health injuries affect entire family units. She warned that many PTSD sufferers face family breakdowns, which in turn jeopardize their recovery, underscoring the need to equip families with tools to maintain resilience and support their loved ones.

The interview was conducted by Noam Amir and broadcast on Channel 14, providing a candid look at the personal and national challenges tied to mental health during wartime.