Israel faces a nationwide mental health crisis post-October 7, Clalit experts warn - study

Clalit Health Services experts warn of a nationwide mental health crisis in Israel following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The four public health funds estimate 60,000 Israelis developed clinical PTSD between October 2023 and December 2025. The article profiles Haim Ben-Arye, a bus driver who died by suicide 18 days after the attack, as an example of hidden trauma. Prof. Amir Krivoy notes cumulative stress since 2020 from COVID-19, social tensions, and the war. Evacuated residents experienced a tenfold increase in psychological distress.

Clalit Health Services experts are warning of a nationwide mental health crisis in Israel following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The four public health funds estimate that 60,000 Israelis developed clinical PTSD between October 2023 and December 2025, with half being Clalit members. The article profiles Haim Ben-Arye, a school-bus driver who died by suicide 18 days after the attack, as an example of hidden trauma. Prof. Amir Krivoy of Geha Mental Health Center notes that Israelis were already in a fragile state due to cumulative stress since 2020 from COVID-19 lockdowns, social tensions, and the war. Evacuated residents experienced a tenfold increase in psychological distress. Psychologist Nufar Bar-Lipshatz describes treating children in hotels and a growing number of children developing stuttering. The article highlights that the mental health system was underbudgeted, understaffed, and had long waiting times.