20 Jun. 24: For the first time, the number of disabled Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers being treated by the Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Division has surpassed 70,000. This significant milestone comes after 8,663 wounded soldiers joined the Division since October 7th, with mental health issues affecting 35% of these new cases and being the primary concern for 21%.
On average, the Division is seeing over a thousand new wounded soldiers each month. Additionally, there have been more than 6,500 requests for recognition of injuries from previous conflicts.
In response to this increase, the Rehabilitation Division has rolled out a comprehensive package of immediate medical and psychological care for all incoming wounded soldiers. Initiatives include nine rehabilitation farms, mobile mental health counseling teams nationwide, the recruitment of 400 therapists, and the launch of the PTSD Guide App.
Statistics from the Israel Medical Conference indicate that around 20% of the new cases involve PTSD and other mental reactions. Among the wounded, 95% are men, 70% are reservists, and approximately 50% are between the ages of 18 and 30. It is projected that about 40% of the wounded admitted by the end of the year may experience various mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Currently, 9,539 soldiers receiving treatment are specifically dealing with PTSD and related mental health issues. The Rehabilitation Division continues to expand its support and resources to meet the needs of the increasing number of disabled IDF soldiers.
