Israeli Children Face Anxiety Returning to School Amid Ongoing Security Threats
After the long summer break, Israeli students are returning to school amid ongoing challenges that disrupt their routine and sense of security. For the past three years, frequent military conflicts and sirens have repeatedly interrupted their daily lives, especially for children in northern Israel and the Gaza envelope, who have also experienced evacuations and temporary relocations. This instability compounds typical back-to-school anxieties about social and academic demands, often manifesting as heightened vigilance, sleep difficulties, concentration problems, and a weakened sense of safety and belonging.
The return to classrooms can trigger fears of separation from parents and concerns about sudden disruptions like air raid sirens. Children may struggle to trust that their environment will remain stable and protective. Anxiety in these children often does not present as overt panic but through physical symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, nausea, or behavioral changes like school refusal and clinginess. Parents and educators are advised to watch for signs like increased alertness to sounds resembling sirens, withdrawal, or difficulty concentrating.
Social and academic worries also play a role, especially for children who missed school or changed schools due to conflict, fearing they have fallen behind or lost their social place. These overlapping fears can hinder adjustment. While occasional difficulties are normal, persistent or worsening symptoms affecting learning, attendance, or social interactions signal the need for professional support.
Experts recommend acknowledging children’s fears without dismissing them, listening carefully, and supporting gradual reintegration into school routines. Collaboration with school staff can facilitate a step-by-step return, reinforcing the child’s coping efforts. If anxiety persists or worsens, consulting a pediatrician or mental health professional is advised. Schools can serve as anchors of routine and connection, helping children regain stability and social ties while respecting their need for a predictable schedule and trusted adults.
The article is authored by the chairman of the National Council for Post-Trauma and head of the mental health division at Pami, emphasizing the importance of balancing recognition of trauma with encouragement to resume normal activities for a successful school year ahead.
