Healing the battlefield: IDF opens mental health access for soldiers within 24 hours
IDF soldiers are not only dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, but also suffering from sleep disturbances, concentration issues, anxiety, mood swings, decreased appetite, and more, according to Col. (Dr.) Yaakov Rothschild, head of the IDF's Mental Health Division.
In an interview with Walla, Rothschild provided a comprehensive overview of how the military is addressing soldiers' psychological needs amid the ongoing war. He discussed what soldiers are revealing behind closed doors, how mental health professionals identify distress, and the role of artificial intelligence, which has already been integrated into therapy rooms and is expected to expand further.
He also highlighted a significant shift in how the IDF addresses mental health, particularly the breakdown of stigma surrounding mental health officers (Kabanim), and a newfound openness in discussing suicide once a taboo topic within the military.
'Every such case is investigated,' Rothschild said. 'As the body responsible for mental health in the IDF, we treat every incident with the utmost seriousness. We are dealing with matters of life and death.'
A dramatic transformation since October 7
'The transformation within the IDF's mental health system since the start of Operation Iron Swords has been dramatic,' he said. 'Access to Kabanim has risen significantly for combat troops, support personnel, and rear units alike. This is due in large part to the enlistment of approximately 1,000 Kabanim since October 7.'
Many of these professionals are treating soldiers on the front lines, sometimes under fire, providing real-time psychological support during combat operations.
Reservists, Rothschild added, face unique psychological challenges not experienced by regular service members. 'Transitioning repeatedly between civilian life, military duty, and back to being a family member or employee often over the course of nearly two years creates a kind of loop,' he explained. 'This requires targeted mental preparation both before entering and after exiting combat zones.'
The military has adopted a more proactive approach to emotional readiness, with efforts to make information accessible, reduce the fog of war, and focus on both individual and group resilience. 'This allows us to identify soldiers who may need professional attention,' Rothschild said. 'All IDF personnel, including commanders, are trained to recognize signs of psychological distress and to encourage peers to speak up when they see a problem.'
Unprecedented investment in mental health
The IDF Medical Corps has invested heavily in the mental health system, an area once treated as a secondary concern. Since the war began, more than 1,000 Kabanim have been active 800 of them reservists. Currently, five Kabanim are stationed in every observation battalion and brigade.
Soldiers requesting a mental health consultation are now guaranteed to receive one within 24 hours.
In a historic development, Kabanim have entered Gaza and southern Lebanon 80 times since the start of the war to help frontline units process traumatic events during active combat.
The IDF has also launched a new reserve training track for future Kabanim, introduced a new position Mental Health Diagnostic Specialist and has handled over 3,000 new mental health cases since October 7.
The Ta'atzumot day clinic has treated 800 soldiers and service members in its intensive therapy programs. According to Rothschild, 86% of those undergoing intensive treatment remained within military frameworks following therapy a significant indicator of the program's success.
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