Israel forms c'mttee to evaluate mental health support for veterans
Trigger warning: This article discusses sensitive topics such as suicide.
Israeli defense leadership has ordered the establishment of a committee to examine the support that has been provided to discharged soldiers and reservists not in active duty who have taken their own lives as a result of the trauma experienced during their military service, the IDF said on Thursday.
Brig-Gen. David (Dado) Bar Kalifa, head of the IDF's Human Resources Directorate, launched the initiative in coordination with Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir.
The committee will be led by Maj.-Gen. (res.) Moti Almoz, former head of the Human Resources Directorate. It will include medical and mental health professionals from the military, legal experts, Casualty Affairs Unit officers, Defense Ministry representatives, and representatives from the Commemorative and Heritage Families Division.
The panel will examine systemic, ethical, and national-level social issues faced by discharged IDF personnel, including recognition and support for these individuals, as well as legal aspects related to their official recognition.
The goal is a thorough, responsible, sensitive, and equitable review of the support given to soldiers during and after their service.
'The IDF has a moral and national responsibility to stand by those who paid a heavy price during their military service, even after they remove the uniform,' Brig.-Gen. Kalifa said.
'The establishment of this committee is intended to ensure that the State of Israel and the IDF provide an appropriate, sensitive, and fair response to every soldier at every stage of their life.'
Mental health crisis among military personnel in Israel
There have been several IDF soldiers and reservists in recent weeks who have taken their own lives due to trauma from the military and from October 7.
Reservist Roi Wasserstein, who had served over 300 days in the 401st Armored Brigade, committed suicide on Wednesday. His family has been advocating for him to be recognized as a fallen soldier, although he was not on reserve duty at the time of his suicide.
IDF reservist Ariel Taman was found lifeless in his home last Sunday night in Ofakim in southern Israel.
An IDF soldier from the Nahal Brigade took his own life on a military base in the Golan Heights in mid-July, and Daniel Edri took his own life in early July in the Biriya forest near Safed.
In mid-May, St.-Sgt.-Maj. Igor Pivnev, a policeman praised for his bravery during the October 7 Hamas attacks, also took his own life.
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