More than 10,000 IDF Soldiers Enduring Mental Illness

The Defense Ministry’s Rehabilitation Department said on Sunday that it has treated some 20,000 wounded soldiers since the beginning of the war on October 7, 2023, more than half of whom are suffering from mental health conditions.

According to the Defense Ministry, some 56% of those treated by the rehab centers amid the war are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions.

Some 9% of the wounded are defined as having moderate-to-severe injuries; 56 soldiers are classified as having over 100% disability — the most severe level of injury; 24 wounded have 100% disability; 16 of those wounded are paralyzed; and 99 are amputees who received prosthetics, the ministry said.

The ministry said that overall, some 45% of the 20,000 are physically wounded; some 35% are suffering PTSD and other mental health conditions; and around 20% are suffering both physical injuries and mental health conditions.

Among the 20,000 wounded soldiers, around 64% are reservists.

The Defense Ministry’s Rehabilitation Department said on Sunday that it has treated some 20,000 wounded soldiers since the beginning of the war on October 7, 2023, more than half of whom are suffering from mental health conditions.

According to the Defense Ministry, some 56% of those treated by the rehab centers amid the war are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions.

Some 9% of the wounded are defined as having moderate-to-severe injuries; 56 soldiers are classified as having over 100% disability — the most severe level of injury; 24 wounded have 100% disability; 16 of those wounded are paralyzed; and 99 are amputees who received prosthetics, the ministry said.

The ministry said that overall, some 45% of the 20,000 are physically wounded; some 35% are suffering PTSD and other mental health conditions; and around 20% are suffering both physical injuries and mental health conditions.

Among the 20,000 wounded soldiers, around 64% are reservists.

Each month, around 1,000 wounded soldiers from the war are treated by the rehab department, in addition to around 600 requests from previous wars.

Including previous wars, the ministry said the rehab department is caring for a total of 81,700 wounded veterans, including 31,000, or 38%, suffering from mental health conditions. It forecasts that by 2028, the center will be treating some 100,000, with at least half of them suffering from PTSD and other mental health conditions.

The rehab department’s budget stands at NIS 8.3 billion ($2.5 billion), NIS 4.1 billion of which is dedicated to treating those with mental health conditions, the ministry said.