Shocking warning: Israel faces surge in suicides years after Hamas attack

Mental health professionals, including MK Kathrin Shitrit, chair of the Knesset Caucus for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, are raising alarms over the psychological toll the attack has taken on the population.

Shitrit emphasized during a committee meeting that while the immediate aftermath of the massacre has seen an increase in mental health issues such as depression, the full psychological impact, including suicidal thoughts, may take years to manifest. “Suicidal thoughts related to wars and terrorist attacks emerge several years after the event, although mental illness occurs in the first year,” she explained. The urgency now is to identify and address cases of depression early, to prevent future suicides.

The Institute of Forensic Medicine reports that between October 2023 and the end of 2024, approximately 217 suspected suicide cases have been recorded, a slightly lower figure than the annual average of 242 between 2017-2023. However, this figure only reflects about two-thirds of the total cases, excluding those in hospitals and the military. Experts fear that the true scale of the crisis has yet to fully unfold.

Adv. Efrat Atun, who works directly with survivors through the organization "Safe Heart," expressed concern that the psychological toll of the massacre often goes unnoticed. Atun's team has observed an increase in extreme and emergency cases, with both survivors and their families bearing the brunt of the trauma.

The Israeli military has also responded to the crisis, with Lt. Col. Yagel Sharabi reporting that around 250,000 soldiers have participated in “processing days,” group sessions designed to prevent long-term psychological damage. These sessions aim to address the emotional aftermath of combat and reduce the risk of severe conditions like shell shock.

In response to the growing mental health crisis, the Ministry of Health has rolled out a comprehensive national mental health plan with a budget of 1.4 billion NIS. This plan focuses on expanding community mental health services, including support centers, clinics, and specialized crisis teams. It also includes efforts to recruit trained peers and instructors who will work alongside professionals to ensure individuals receive the care they need.