Thousands of Israeli soldiers seek therapy abroad

Thousands of Israeli reservists are leaving the country to receive mental health treatment from private groups and nonprofits. They cite long wait times and limited access to care within the military system after nearly three years of intense combat.

Sources familiar with the situation say the Defense Ministry and the Israeli Defense Forces are struggling to meet the demand for psychological support. One source noted that the IDF should coordinate more closely with these outside organizations to maintain consistent standards of diagnosis and treatment. "It would have been preferable for the IDF to initiate a process with the nonprofit organizations and private bodies to minimize the gaps in diagnosis, oversight, and ultimately treatment," the source said.

Reservists point to a distinct difference in how the military supports regular soldiers compared to reserve personnel. Regular service members receive ongoing support, while reservists often get help only near the end of a deployment. Military sources serving in the reserves argue that once they return to civilian life, the military considers its duty complete. They are then left to manage bureaucratic hurdles with thin support services.

Specialists in the field warn that the psychological impact is just beginning. One expert stated that the shockwaves among hundreds of thousands of combat troops "are only beginning and are expected to intensify in the coming years." Estimates from the IDF and the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department suggest tens of thousands of soldiers will develop post-traumatic stress disorder. More than 7,000 soldiers, primarily combat troops, have already been officially recognized as having psychological disabilities from their service.

The IDF Medical Corps operates the Ta'atzumot Clinic and the Combat Stress Reaction Unit. Sources say these services have not kept pace with the surge in demand, especially while fighting continues. They describe a growing trend of soldiers bypassing the military system to seek care from private providers and alternative programs overseas.

The Ta'atzumot Clinic reports that about 65% of its patients return to service. However, sources question whether this figure represents the full picture or only those who reached the front line of treatment. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit responded by stating that the military has significantly expanded the capacity and quality of its services since the war began. It said the system is prepared for higher demand and continues to adjust based on lessons learned.

New clinics have opened across Israel, and a 24-hour hotline is available seven days a week. The IDF said it does not wait for soldiers to request help. Instead, it identifies those who may need support through structured debriefing sessions with units immediately after operational deployments. The military stressed that it grew staff at the Ta'atzumot Clinic and added occupational therapy, a track for career personnel, and an intensive outpatient program.

The Combat Stress Reaction Unit, which treats veterans and discharged personnel, has seen more than 5,000 new patients. The IDF said the unit has kept waiting times short and widened access in northern and southern Israel. The Medical Corps noted that periodic patient surveys show most patients are satisfied. It also clarified that some services fall under civilian bodies, including the Health Ministry and health maintenance organizations. Israeli law generally bars the IDF from treating civilians, with the Combat Stress Reaction Unit serving as the main exception.

The Medical Corps said it does not oppose releasing data on personnel with combat stress reactions. It noted that such figures are already published and will continue to appear in scientific publications and research. The IDF added that, after almost three years of intensive reserve deployments, it has built a framework called the "Service Cycle." This model reflects the view that reserve service is no longer a set period of mobilization followed by discharge, but can affect reservists, their families, and their units throughout the year.