Soldiers seek overseas PTSD care

Thousands of Israeli reservists are traveling abroad to join workshops and receive treatment from private nonprofit organizations. They are doing so because they believe the Defense Ministry and the Israel Defense Forces are struggling to keep up with the mental health needs of returning troops.

The warnings come as the country faces a predicted surge in post-traumatic stress disorder cases. Estimates from the IDF and the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department suggest that tens of thousands of soldiers, mostly reservists, will develop the condition due to the war. More than 7,000 soldiers, most of them combat troops, have already been officially recognized as having psychological disabilities from their service.

Reservists describe a sharp divide between regular-service soldiers and reserve personnel. Soldiers in regular service receive ongoing support, while reservists usually get limited help near the end of their deployments. Military sources serving in the reserves claim that once reservists have become civilians, the military considers its responsibility fulfilled and leaves them to deal with bureaucracy and thin support services alone.

Specialists fear the psychological shockwaves among combat soldiers are only beginning. One source warned that these effects are expected to intensify in the coming years. Another argued that the IDF should work more closely with the nonprofit groups providing care. That source stated it would have been preferable for the IDF to initiate a process with these bodies to minimize gaps in diagnosis, oversight, and treatment.

The IDF Medical Corps runs the Ta'atzumot Clinic and the Combat Stress Reaction Unit. Sources say the capacity of these services has not kept pace with demand, especially while fighting continues. They describe a trend of combat soldiers and reservists going straight to private providers and alternative programs overseas instead of the military's own system.

The Ta'atzumot Clinic reports that about 65% of its patients return to service. Sources questioned whether that figure reflects the full picture or only those who reached the front line of treatment. The IDF said the clinic has grown its staff and added occupational therapy, a track for career personnel, and an intensive outpatient program.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said the military has expanded the capacity and quality of its services since the war began. It noted that new clinics have opened across Israel and a 24-hour hotline operates seven days a week. The military added that it identifies those who may need help through structured debriefing sessions with units right after operational deployments.

The Combat Stress Reaction Unit, which also treats veterans and discharged personnel, has seen more than 5,000 new patients. The unit has kept waiting times short and widened access in northern and southern Israel. The IDF said it has built a framework called the Service Cycle, reflecting the view that reserve service can affect reservists, their families, and their units throughout the year.