Thousands of Reservists Seek Therapy Abroad as Military Clinics Strain

Israel has engaged in intense combat operations across multiple fronts for nearly three years. This sustained conflict has created a surge in demand for psychological care among the country's military personnel. Recent reports indicate that the current system is struggling to meet that demand, leading many reservists to look for help outside the official military structure.

The pressure on the Israeli Defense Forces began as deployments extended over long periods. Regular service soldiers receive ongoing support during their service. Reservists, however, often receive limited assistance only near the end of their deployments. Once they return to civilian life, military sources say the Defense Ministry views its responsibility as fulfilled. This leaves reservists to manage bureaucracy and thin support networks on their own. As a result, thousands of these soldiers are now traveling abroad to join workshops and receive treatment from private nonprofit organizations.

Reservists argue that the military should coordinate with these external groups to maintain consistent standards of care. One source noted that it would have been preferable for the IDF to initiate a process with these organizations to minimize gaps in diagnosis, oversight, and treatment. The concern is that without such coordination, the quality of care may vary significantly depending on where a soldier seeks help.

Specialists warn that the psychological impact is not yet fully realized. One expert stated that the shockwaves among combat soldiers and reservists are only beginning and are expected to intensify in the coming years. Estimates from the IDF and the Defense Ministry suggest that tens of thousands of soldiers will develop post-traumatic stress disorder due to the war. More than 7,000 soldiers have already been officially recognized as having psychological disabilities resulting from their service.

The IDF Medical Corps operates the Ta'atzumot Clinic and the Combat Stress Reaction Unit. Sources indicate that the capacity of these services has not kept pace with the rising demand. They describe a trend where combat soldiers bypass the military system to go directly to private providers and alternative programs overseas. The Ta'atzumot Clinic reports that about 65% of its patients return to service, though some question if this figure represents the full picture.

In response, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated that the military has significantly expanded the capacity and quality of its services since the war began. New clinics have opened across Israel, and a 24-hour hotline now operates seven days a week. The IDF said it does not wait for soldiers to come forward but identifies those who may need help through structured debriefing sessions immediately after operational deployments.

The Combat Stress Reaction Unit, which treats veterans and discharged personnel, has seen more than 5,000 new patients. The unit has kept waiting times short and widened access in northern and southern Israel. The IDF noted that while some services fall under civilian bodies, the Combat Stress Reaction Unit is the primary channel for the military to treat civilians. The Medical Corps said it does not oppose releasing data on personnel with combat stress reactions, and such figures are already published in scientific publications.

The IDF added that it has built a framework called the Service Cycle to address the changing nature of reserve service. This framework reflects the view that reserve service is no longer just a set period of mobilization followed by discharge. Instead, it can affect reservists, their families, and their units throughout the year. The military continues to adjust its services based on lessons learned from this extended period of deployment.