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Israeli soldiers are suffering in silence, shrouded in shame and embarrassment. We must eliminate the stigma.
Since October 7, my visits to Israel have included something I had never done before: spending time at Tel HaShomer hospital visiting injured soldiers. Each time, we came to give inspiration, bring positive energy, gifts, love, support, and boundless gratitude. Each time we left receiving the inspiration, in awe of young men missing limbs, battling wounds, forming what will be everlasting scars.
In addition to IDF soldiers in my family and our community, I have developed a relationship with several heroic soldiers over our visits the last nine months. A reservist who was full of life, energy, love, tenacity and faith when I met him, someone I have sung and danced with on his base, called me to say he is suffering and struggling. For the last couple of months, he has been crying and sobbing uncontrollably, having panic attacks, and feels filled with uncharacteristic anger and rage. He hasn’t slept or eaten properly. He is struggling at work and in his personal life. At the bris of his son, as he held the baby, he was suddenly transported back to his duties at the very beginning of the war and was shaken by the feeling that he was holding a dead body rather than his living newborn son.
I visited him at Tel HaShomer where he had been admitted to the psychiatric ward with a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD affects countless veterans of war. When I saw him, he was a shell of himself, a shadow of the person I first met. He was in pain from his condition, but he was also suffering from deep shame and embarrassment. He hadn’t shared with others, including those with whom he is very close, where he was or why. The unit he is in is filled with soldiers suffering with PTSD, most of whom battle it with shame and embarrassment. Many have turned to alcohol or drugs to numb them from the pain and emptiness. PTSD impacts not only the one diagnosed with it but their spouse, children, and entire family.
I asked him, if you God forbid had an injury to a limb or organ, if in this war you were shot, or physically wounded, would you keep it to yourself? Would there be any shame or disgrace associated with your hospitalization or recovery? You would be a hero of our people, deserving of endless support and boundless gratitude.
Why should it be any different just because your wounds are invisible to the naked eye? They are no more your fault, no more a source of shame, no less deserving of love, support, care, and recognition. Don’t feel obligated to share or tell others, I told him, but if you would benefit from love and support and the only reason you are keeping it to yourself is fear of stigma, I beg you to reconsider.
He told me that unfortunately, it is simply not the way others see it for now and so he feels has no choice but to do it this way.
I called his wife, whom we have come to know as well. She is home caring for their young children by herself. I begged, let me arrange with your community to provide meals, to help with childcare, to be a source of support during his recovery from an injury sustained while fighting in the Jewish people’s war. Isn’t that exactly what we would do if a heroic soldier was physically injured, recuperating in the hospital and the family needed help? She appreciated the concern but said that sadly, that isn’t the way others see it and so she has no choice but to deal with this privately.
My heart broke not only from what they are going through in dealing with his trauma, injury, and wounds but how their pain and agony is compounded by the loneliness with which they are experiencing it.
My young friends are far from alone. In the two months following October 7, an alarming 8,000 soldiers reported experiencing trauma. Recently, researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Columbia University, Shalvata Mental Health Center in Hod Hasharon, and the Effective Altruism organization, published a study that predicts that 520,000 — or 5.3 percent of the Israeli population — could develop PTSD as a result of October 7 and Israel’s ongoing war.
Prof. Yair Bar-Haim, head of the National Center for Traumatic Stress and Resilience at Tel Aviv University, believes a more realistic number is 30,000 new cases of PTSD among Israelis as a result of the October 7 terror attacks and the war.
Historically, Israeli soldiers have much lower rates of PTSD than other countries. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 30 percent of Vietnam veterans have had PTSD at some point in their lifetime. As much as 20 percent of veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom have PTSD. A variety of reasons have been suggested such as Israel having a civilian army, the whole country being exposed to terror, the visibility of soldiers in society regularly, and more.
We must work to eliminate the stigma of mental and emotional illness and to create a culture and condition in which there is no shame or embarrassment and in which the community responds with love and support.
Whatever the true number of PTSD cases in Israel as a result of October 7 and the war, it is startling and is going to need tremendous treatment and support. The Jewish community responded swiftly and generously to help our heroic soldiers with equipment and supplies when the war began. But what will be needed next can’t get packed in a duffle bag and doesn’t get served at a barbecue.
In Israel and abroad we must recognize that invisible injuries are just as real as physical ones. We must work to eliminate the stigma of mental and emotional illness and to create a culture and condition in which there is no shame or embarrassment and in which the community responds with love and support.
My friend in Tel HaShomer shared with me: “A person like me suffering from PTSD doesn’t want people to look at them and treat them with pity and doesn’t want them asking all the time how I am and why I look upset or why I am not smiling. Just understand that they are going through a hard time and be there if they need.”
Paid leave must be granted from work for those recovering from PTSD or mental illness, just as they would for those physically injured. Meals, childcare, financial help must be given for those with invisible wounds, just like they would for the family of a physically wounded soldier. Massive contributions must be collected to provide treatment and support for those recovering from PTSD. People must be sensitive to this very real condition and not minimize it by using the term to describe what it feels like when they were stuck in traffic or when Starbucks messed up their order.
As Israel is still fighting the longest war in its history, the risk of fatigue setting in is real and concerning. When it comes to the mental health and wellness of our soldiers and brothers and sisters, we may just be at the beginning. May my dear friend whom I truly love, together with all those needing physical, mental and emotional healing, have a speedy, painless and complete recovery.
I agree with the need for compassion and support for the troops, but I can’t help but think about how prevalent PTSD must be in the general population, especially the children, given the unpredictable assault on the entire population.
Amen
I'm a Disabled Veteran - & I spent 20 years as a counselor - working with Disabled Vets - who had PTSD - & many other psychological - physical disabilities. Many professionals - are even divided on - what constitutes PTSD - & what is the cure. PTSD - has so many FACETS - that CAUSE PTSD - & NO ONE SOLUTION - to help the Veteran deal with their PTSD - fits all. It takes hours of love (PRAYER) & counseling - to help them ferret out - how to overcome their affliction(s).
Years ago, an Israeli organization brought to my shul in NY, a group of IDF veterans who had served in the same unit. The organization has support groups where they talk about their trauma. They said that at first it is very hard to open up, since men are expected to be "macho". For some they said it is easier to open up in a group.
I developed PTSD while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer. As I understand trauma processing this is not yet PTSD. This is trauma recovery and without proper support the brain will “store” and wire the memories in an adverse way. it isn’t only soldiers. All of Israel has experienced trauma for some it is more difficult to process than others. It isn’t a one done for anyone. It is a process to recover. My boys are American Military and have lost many friends to suicide and mental health deterioration. It can be as extreme as needing residential care. It can also be a disproportionate response to stimuli. Hyper or hypo response. Shut down is a response to trauma. As an Israeli my biggest concern on Oct 8 wasn’t for the those who lost their lives it was for those survived and continue to live
PTSD is not just an invisible wound; it is an injury to the brain and central nervous system ("the body keeps the score") and can be documented by elevated levels of stress hormones, changes in heart rate and breathing, disruption of sleep and eating, and more. Healing takes time and patience, and family of those suffering from PTSD also suffer. All should be gently encouraged to seek help from professional counselors as well as continued connection with community. Therapy takes many forms depending on what the individual and family needs.
(Written by a US clinical psychologist with expertise in trauma treatment.)
Thank you for your valuable insight. Was very moved by your article. Will definitely add this in prayer for those courageous IDF soldiers . Healing for their souls and acceptance and help by the community. God bless
PTSD is a real disease, and can be life threatening through suicide.
Human beings are not conditioned for war. As a result, war unnaturally conditions them.
This is extremely harmful to the human psyche.
Spiritually, the Adversary desires you to separate yourself from the tribe.
The very people who love you.
Do not do this to yourself, or them.
Interacting with others on a normal level is a necessary part of healing.
Hiding, running from, and not announcing your condition to family and friends is exactly what the Adversary desires, and to separate you out.
Get into therapy, and learn relaxation techniques to help secure reality in your mind.
Accept that you have been through a terrible ordeal that has harmed you.
Believe in you.
Stay safe. Be well.
It's not just PTSD - the fear of being harmed or killed - it's also moral injury - participating in or witnessing actions/events that violate a deeply held moral system. For instance, "friendly fire" that takes the life of a comrade or being compelled to kill a child with a weapon pointed at you. Or, finding dead women and children in the debris aftermath of an artillery or air strike. It is a wound to the soul. Choosing life is so deeply embedded in the Jewish soul...
Well said!
i have been praying daily for the IDF and simply amazed how many volunteered to fight. also the bravery that they showed, that i saw was amazing. i will definitely be adding this to my prayers. these brave men and women deserve all the support they can get and more!!
AMEN! Thank you for this important piece!
It has been reported that there can be other reasons for soldiers suffering from PTSD besides the horrors of battle.
In Israel's current case, when people (mostly anti-Semites, ignorant "liberals" & leftists) reverse the roles of victims and terrorists, this twisted perspective can take its toll on those who are fighting in self-defense and risking their lives doing so.
All the lies and propaganda being readily swallowed serve to encourage Hamas' brutality, which Jew-haters cheer on because they'd like nothing better than having their devilish dreams fulfilled by Hamas' (& others') despicable acts.
Our rabid enemies, active or passive, learn nothing from history: the damage they continually try to inflict on the eternal nation is relatively short-lived, b"H!
I thought this was obvious.
I'm so sad that it's not.
Very important article. As a military wife of a soldier in the American Army, please continue to battle this stigma and help every precious IDF soldier that is suffering in silence.
May HaShem bless your endeavors.