A group of directors of mental health hospitals in Tel Aviv sent a letter to the Inspection Authority, in which they demanded the declaration of a state of emergency due to a significant deterioration in the mental health of Israelis, due to the spread of mental illnesses since the seventh of last October.
The letter stated that the events of October 7 “will add 300,000 new people to those in need of psychological treatment. As for those who will return from the fighting in Gaza, it is not yet known how many of them will suffer from psychological problems.”
“Please use your power and authority to save the mental health of the citizens of Israel,” the group of directors added.
“total collapse”
Directors of mental health hospitals in Israel described what they considered inhumane conditions in their hospitals. What was noteworthy in the message was the call on these directors to declare a state of emergency due to the high rates of psychological and mental illnesses and suicide as well.
The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported the content of the message, which described the health system in Israel as being in a state of complete collapse, and suffering from years of severe neglect, budget shortages, and a limited number of manpower in mental health centers, while cases of mental problems have increased in the wake of the current events in Gaza strip.
Psychological disorders of soldiers
The letter adds that the increase in demand for psychiatric centers is an indication that the situation is difficult and worrying, especially with the high rates of mental illness and the increase in suicide cases among Israelis, in addition to the deterioration of care services for those who need them, according to the letter.
The Israeli Ministry of Health, in its response, did not receive the message with open arms, but it confirmed that it had drawn up a plan for the mental health system at a cost of two billion shekels as part of the budget that was drawn up in cooperation with specialists in the health system and experts from abroad, according to the ministry’s response.
Israeli media reported that the occupation army intends to launch a program aimed at helping soldiers suffering from psychological disorders due to the war in Gaza, and confronting their suicidal desires.
“Al-Aqsa Flood” Syndrome
The Hebrew website “Ynet” reported that the war in Gaza currently costs a high price in human lives and physical injuries, and in the future it will also cost a high price on the psychological level, especially among injured soldiers.
The website also says that since the beginning of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” battle, more than 2,800 soldiers from the occupation army have been transferred to the Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defense, including 3% of the wounded in serious condition, and 18% of those suffering from mental problems due to post-traumatic stress.
Social media platforms were abuzz with interaction with the message of directors of mental health hospitals in Israel. Activist Duaa Kamal said: “Killing innocent people with such brutality, what other result would there be?”
As for Ahmed Fawzi, he wrote: “A war without faith, belief, or truth is equal to defeat, failure, and collapse.” But activist Omar Wahdan gave a name to the reasons for the high incidence of mental illness in Israel: “Al-Aqsa Flood Fear Syndrome.”
2023-12-30 07:50:40
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