Reservists seek therapy abroad as military care strains

Thousands of Israeli reservists are now traveling abroad to receive mental health treatment. These individuals finish long combat deployments and join workshops or seek care from private nonprofit groups outside the country. The shift reflects a growing strain on the domestic system that supports soldiers after nearly three years of intense fighting.

Reservists describe a clear difference in support between regular troops and reserve personnel. Soldiers in regular service receive ongoing help. In contrast, reservists often get limited assistance 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 duty complete. They are then left to manage bureaucracy and thin support services on their own.

The Israeli Defense Forces Medical Corps operates the Ta'atzumot Clinic and the Combat Stress Reaction Unit. Sources say these services have not kept pace with demand while fighting continues. A dangerous trend has emerged where combat soldiers and reservists bypass the military system entirely. They go directly to private providers and alternative programs overseas. The Ta'atzumot Clinic reports that about 65% of its patients return to service. However, sources question if this figure captures the full picture or only those who reached the front line of treatment.

Specialists warn that the psychological impact is just beginning. One source noted that shockwaves among hundreds of thousands of combat soldiers and reservists are expected to intensify in coming years. Estimates from the IDF and the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department suggest tens of thousands of soldiers, mostly reservists, will develop PTSD. More than 7,000 soldiers, primarily combat troops, have already been officially recognized as having psychological disabilities from their service.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit states that mental health care is a top priority. The military says it has expanded capacity and quality since the war began. New clinics have opened across Israel, and a 24-hour hotline operates seven days a week. The IDF claims it does not wait for soldiers to come forward. It identifies those who may need help through structured debriefing sessions with units right after operational deployments.

Regarding the Ta'atzumot Clinic, the IDF says it has grown its staff and added occupational therapy. An intensive outpatient program is now available for patients with complex conditions. Treatment aims at rehabilitation and assessing whether a soldier can keep serving. The military stresses that the 65% return-to-service figure covers only patients treated at the clinic, not all soldiers with post-traumatic symptoms.

The Combat Stress Reaction Unit has seen more than 5,000 new patients. The IDF says waiting times have remained short, and access has widened in northern and southern Israel. This unit works with the Defense Ministry and also treats veterans and discharged personnel. The Medical Corps notes that periodic surveys show most patients are satisfied. It adds 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. Such figures are already published and will continue to appear in scientific publications. The IDF added that it has built a framework called the Service Cycle after almost three years of intensive reserve deployments. This framework reflects the view that reserve service is no longer a set period of mobilization followed by discharge. It recognizes that service can affect reservists, their families, and their units throughout the year.