7,000 soldiers certified disabled as reservists seek therapy abroad

More than 7,000 soldiers have received official certification for psychological disabilities resulting from their military service. The majority of these soldiers are combat troops. This figure comes from estimates provided by the Israel Defense Forces and the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department.

Reservists report that the military system is not keeping pace with the demand for mental health treatment following nearly three years of intense fighting. Thousands of reservists who finished long combat deployments are now traveling abroad to receive therapy from private nonprofit organizations. One source told The Jerusalem Post that the IDF should have worked more closely with these groups to minimize gaps in diagnosis and oversight.

A major point of contention is the difference in support between regular soldiers and reservists. Regular service members receive ongoing assistance. Reservists, however, often receive limited help only near the end of their deployments. Military sources serving in the reserves state that once they return to civilian life, the military considers its responsibility finished. This leaves them to navigate bureaucracy and thin support services alone.

The IDF says it has expanded its mental health network to meet rising demand. The military states that new clinics have opened across Israel. A 24-hour hotline now operates seven days a week. The IDF also conducts structured debriefing sessions with units right after operational deployments to identify soldiers who may need help.

The Ta'atzumot Clinic and the Combat Stress Reaction Unit form the core of the military's response. The Combat Stress Reaction Unit has treated more than 5,000 new patients. It has widened access in northern and southern Israel. The Ta'atzumot Clinic reports that about 65% of its patients return to service. The IDF clarified that this figure covers only patients treated at the clinic and does not represent all soldiers with post-traumatic symptoms.

Specialists warn that the psychological impact of the war is likely to intensify in the coming years. They estimate that tens of thousands of soldiers, mostly reservists, will develop post-traumatic stress disorder. The IDF says it has built a framework called the "Service Cycle" to reflect the ongoing nature of reserve service. This approach aims to support reservists, their families, and their units throughout the year rather than only during mobilization.

The Medical Corps states that periodic patient surveys show most patients are satisfied with care. It also notes that some services fall under civilian bodies, including the Health Ministry and health maintenance organizations. Israeli law generally bars the IDF from treating civilians, except through the Combat Stress Reaction Unit. The Medical Corps says it does not oppose releasing data on personnel with combat stress reactions and that such figures are already published in scientific research.