In the shadow of Israel's ongoing war, a devastating mental health crisis is quietly unfolding among the country's youth. A shocking new report reveals how teenagers are turning to drugs and alcohol in unprecedented numbers, as their support systems crumble and their futures hang in the balance.
"Every boom, every explosion – it's another wound to my soul," says Nadav, a 17-year-old from northern Israel. "Sometimes I can't even breathe when I hear it." Speaking under a pseudonym, Nadav represents a generation of Israeli teenagers whose lives have been upended by a war that has reached far beyond the front lines.
The findings, released today by leading youth advocacy organization ELEM, paint a harrowing picture: nearly half of at-risk teens are now using alcohol to cope, while a quarter have turned to illegal drugs. But perhaps most alarming is the surge in mental health challenges, with 47% of teenage girls reporting severe depression and anxiety.
"We're the Zoom generation," explains Ziv, another 17-year-old from the northern city of Safed. "We barely recovered from COVID isolation when this war threw us back into lockdown. Except this time, we're hiding from missiles, not viruses."
Living Under Fire
In Israel's northern communities, teenagers describe their daily lives as "Russian roulette" – never knowing when the next rocket might fall. But for many, the psychological toll of constant alertness is compounded by economic devastation. With businesses shuttered and tourism dead, families like Nadav's have lost their livelihoods. "My parents' business is gone," he says, "but because we weren't officially evacuated, we get no government help. Now I'm working to help put food on the table."
The numbers tell a grim story:
- 45% of at-risk youth report regular alcohol use
- 50% of teenage boys are turning to alcohol
- 26% admit to using illegal drugs
- 35% suffer from severe loneliness and depression
- 1 in 5 have experienced violence in public spaces
Education in Free Fall
Perhaps most concerning is the collapse of educational stability. ELEM's report reveals that 30% of affected youth are either regularly skipping school or have dropped out entirely. "My homeroom teacher used to come to my house to wake me up for school," Ziv recalls with a sad smile. "Then he got called up for reserve duty. I haven't been to class in months."
The Violence Spiral
As traditional support structures falter, street violence has surged. ELEM's CEO Tali Erez warns of a dangerous new trend: teenagers arming themselves with improvised weapons out of fear. "The streets have become a battleground," she explains. "What we're seeing isn't just teenage rebellion – it's survival mode."
A Generation at Risk
"We must redefine what we mean by 'at-risk youth,'" argues Shai Piron, ELEM's chairman. "This isn't just affecting troubled teens anymore. We're seeing middle-class kids, good students, stable families – all buckling under the pressure. The war has democratized trauma."
Looking Ahead
As the war grinds on, experts fear the worst is yet to come. "We won't know the full extent of the damage until the fighting stops," Piron admits. "But these kids are carrying wounds that will take years to heal."
For teenagers like Nadav and Ziv, tomorrow feels like a luxury they can't afford to think about. "Everyone talks about winning the war," Nadav says, his voice tired beyond his years. "But what about us? Who's fighting for our future?"
The report has caught the attention of Israel's welfare ministry, with Minister Yaakov Margi promising to "adapt responses" for affected youth. But for the teenagers on the ground, such promises ring hollow. As one young survivor of this invisible crisis put it: "They abandoned us when we needed them most. How can we trust them to help us now?"
ELEM's findings serve as a stark warning: while the world focuses on military victories and diplomatic solutions, an entire generation of Israeli youth is fighting a private war – one that will leave scars long after the last rocket falls.
Ynet contributed to this article.
