Confronting Israel’s mental health emergency

‘At first, I was full of self-criticism – Why aren’t you doing enough? You need to be strong,” said Galit Gurevich, 46. “But I realized that it’s impossible to be strong all the time.”

While her husband served more than 200 days in the reserves, Gurevich, a mother and business owner, managed life alone under the shadow of war. Outwardly resilient, she neared burnout. When her husband completed his reserve duty, she struggled with the stress of his homecoming and emotional exhaustion, often withdrawing to protect herself from the pressure to absorb his experiences.

Gurevich’s story is the starting point for understanding the national mental health crisis Israelis are living through. Almost no one in the country has been unscathed by the last two years. One in three Israelis report concerning mental health symptoms and need support, according to a survey by the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute.

As Israelis grapple with the emotional toll of war, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is leading the response. With emotional recovery vital to Israel’s resilience, JDC is addressing the urgent mental health challenges of the “new vulnerable” – civilians, reservists, families, and communities – through innovative programs and technology designed to reach as many people as possible, continuing its century-plus mission to strengthen communities in times of crisis.

Israel is moving from emergency to recovery, and JDC is building on its ongoing mental health response developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide support for millions coping with trauma. Through prevention-focused services and resources, the proactive effort aims to stop emotional distress from developing into long-term PTSD and severe mental illness, helping individuals and communities heal and thrive.

Even before the war, demand for mental health support in the country outpaced the number of therapists, with few alternative options. JDC deployed vetted technologies during the war to ensure widespread access to mental health tools as needs surged. The shift toward preventive mental health now includes continued refinement of digital solutions alongside the rollout of community-based preventive programs and services.

“As early as the COVID pandemic, JDC recognized that mental health is critical – not only to an individuals’ ability to function, but to society’s capacity to recover. The impact of the last two years of war has created a new urgency and requires new approaches,” said Efrat Stern, director of Israel Unlimited, JDC’s division overseeing Israeli mental health initiatives.

To address the scale of needs, a groundbreaking National Mental Health and Wellbeing Initiative was launched to promote Israelis’ resilience and health. A joint venture of JDC together with the Health Ministry, Prime Minister’s Office, Finance Ministry, Education Ministry, Welfare and Social Affairs Ministry, Interior Ministry, Federation of Local Authorities, and National Insurance Institute, along with philanthropic support, the initiative is a systemic change to strengthen the ability of municipalities to meet local needs.

The initiative builds on the success of Israel’s long-running Efsharibari (“It’s possible to be healthy”) program, which promotes active, healthy living and fosters wellness across communities. By leveraging this local, everyday approach, the initiative represents a breakthrough in mental health care.

With an unprecedented rollout reaching over 85% of Israel’s population, more than 200 communities and regions now have a JDC-trained mental health coordinator focused on identifying needs and working with local leadership to implement tailored solutions for their communities. They have access to a vetted digital catalogue of services, such as community support groups, therapeutic dog programs, and parenting guidance sessions, all incorporating structured trauma processing.

In Petah Tikva, municipal leaders and the mental health coordinator recognized that the June missile attacks added to years of cumulative stress from the pandemic and ongoing conflict. They identified the need for an intervention that was easy to join, inclusive, and focused on healing. Phototherapy workshops were launched for a diverse group of secular and haredi residents, using creative expression to process this continuous trauma and regain emotional resilience.

Revital, a participant, shared, “I came to the workshop seeking tools to cope and to find a place to exhale. The workshop helped me come out of my shell and express what was inside me. It gave me new energy and restored my strength.”

In a mental health system where access to individual therapy is limited, JDC is closing gaps and expanding care through digital tools grounded in evidence and innovation. These tools make prevention and self-help accessible and meet the growing demand.

One example is Dugri (Hebrew slang for “Real Talk”), an app offering safe, anonymous peer-to-peer support networks for processing stress and sharing experiences. The app connects individuals via forums, text chats, and audio calls, using a structured, proven approach. Adapted for Israeli society with JDC’s support, Dugri now hosts teen and adult groups, including one for reservists’ spouses.

For Gurevich, the reservist’s wife, Dugri became a lifeline: “It gives me a place to say things I’d never post on Facebook,” she said. After joining as a participant, Gurevich now leads her group, helping others navigate emotional challenges.

Following its success, the Dugri community was integrated into the Defense Ministry’s official app as part of its support system for reservists and their families, aiding them to reacclimate to civilian life.

The Nafshi website, another effective digital solution launched by JDC just two weeks after Oct. 7, connects users to hundreds of validated mental health tools for individual needs, including self-care, youth groups, and more intensive therapy. Over 200,000 people have accessed Nafshi to date.

After more than two years of war, Israel’s cities are front lines not only for security but also for mental health. Municipal employees have absorbed unprecedented trauma and encounter residents in distress almost daily.

JDC launched a program to provide an initial line of support for first responders and civil servants – who play a critical role helping to rebuild Israeli cities and ensure social services, education, security, and employment – so they can meet post-Oct. 7 challenges.

For Shani (a pseudonym), a senior Ashkelon city official, the ordeal began when a rocket struck her apartment building. She pushed through in “emergency mode,” suppressing fear and continuing to work. Then JDC’s Or Rishon (“First Light”), an early detection training program, reached her city. Or Rishon equips municipal employees to recognize distress, offer immediate assistance, and guide people to supportive services.

During the training, Shani became visibly emotional. “It was the first time someone asked me how I was,” she said through tears. “And I’m actually not okay.” That moment – her willingness to be vulnerable in a safe setting – captures the essence of preventative mental health. The program both helped Shani heal and gave her tools to support dozens of employees who rely on her. To date, 430 public servants across nine municipalities have participated in Or Rishon.

JDC’s efforts in Israel are made possible by generous support provided by the Jewish Federations of North America and local Jewish Federations, individuals, families, foundations, and corporations.

“The mental health and well-being of Israelis is essential for the recovery of Israeli society and for building a resilient future. Together with our many partners, we are creating and deploying solutions to address the personal, community, and national needs of Israelis, offering us all the strength not only to recover but also to be resilient and grow,” said Hadas Minka-Brand, executive director of JDC-Israel.

This article was written in cooperation with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.