The Hamas attack on October 7th shook Israel to its core. While we have all been overwhelmed by unprecedented grief and anxiety, our country has also come together in unprecedented ways. We open our homes to displaced families, donate and distribute food and other necessities, harvest fruits and vegetables on abandoned farms, and support parents of young children, the elderly, and even pets. , is extending aid to those directly affected.
At the same time, we are beginning to realize the magnitude of the impact and the psychological burden it will have on our people. Trauma is now a health crisis, with an estimated 2 million Israelis, a quarter of those affected by that terrible day, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can last for more than five years. symptoms may develop.
With a mental health system already stretched to its limits, the demand for mental health care is staggering. The average waiting time for treatment in our public facilities has reached 12 months.
Mental health therapists in Israel, including psychologists, psychotherapists, and social workers, work across disciplines to help. But there are too few of them. They are overworked and many are not trained to treat trauma.
Approximately 5,000 additional therapists are needed in the areas directly affected by the events of October 7th alone. Additionally, one in two professionals involved in recovery efforts are at risk of secondary trauma. The burden is too great for our small country.
We must ask: How can our country recover when trauma is so prevalent, and how can we provide the support we need? The longer this process takes, the harder it will be to cope with the pain, restore normalcy and optimism, and regain strength. We desperately need solutions.
To address these needs, Teva launched Support the Soul (Metaplim Banefesh). Strengthen Israel’s mental health infrastructure by mobilizing partners with diverse skill sets from Israel and around the world. This comprehensive, holistic program focuses on supporting mental health therapists because our nation’s resilience lies in the hands of mental health therapists.
Support the Soul, in collaboration with the Israel Trauma Coalition, aims to increase the number of therapists and care facilities through training, certification, and support for transitioning into trauma care. We will also strengthen resilience centers and virtual support networks, provide safe spaces for mental health professionals and their patients, and leverage technology to enable remote meetings.
The program will work with partners in the Israeli innovation ecosystem to identify new trauma care technologies that can be scaled up to expand the program’s reach. It also raises awareness about the need for mental health therapist care and provides content, information and tools to those affected.
Poor mental health can have significant negative consequences, including social challenges and isolation, substance use, and other mental health conditions. Mental health is also correlated with physical health. A Lancet study found that people who suffer from depression are 40% more likely to develop heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes, and mental illness can reduce life expectancy by up to 20 years.
Negative effects on mental health
Mental health issues can negatively impact performance at school and work by decreasing concentration, decreasing productivity, not building good relationships, and increasing absenteeism. This can also lead to unemployment, which affects the ability to earn a living and can lead to poverty, making it a vicious cycle.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 12 billion working days are lost to depression and anxiety around the world each year, leading to an estimated $1 trillion in lost productivity.
These are the burdens faced by Israelis – our friends, family, and neighbors. And by bringing together partners with unique expertise and coming together in a long-term commitment, we can provide the support our mental health heroes need. They are the ones we rely on to guide us along this long, complex and important journey towards a stronger, healthier future.
The author is Executive Vice President and Head of International Markets at Teva.
