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Seth Eisenberg
Empowering Healing Through Connection, Compassion, and Innovation

The Hidden Battle: Mental Health and Rising Suicide Rates in the IDF

The Cost of Silence: Confronting Suicide and Mental Health in the IDF
Illustrative only (Licensed Envato photo).

The battlefield isn’t always defined by bullets and bombs. For many soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the fiercest battles are fought in silence—against anxiety, trauma, and despair. These invisible wounds are exacerbated by a military culture where emotional struggles are stigmatized, leaving many soldiers feeling isolated and unsupported.

Amid this crisis, suicide rates have reached alarming levels. Between the October 2023 Hamas assault and the end of 2024, at least 28 soldiers reportedly died by suicide—the highest in decades—compared to 14 in 2022 and 11 in 2021. Such numbers underscore the urgent need for systemic change. How can a military renowned for its resilience fail to protect its soldiers from their most personal battles?


Voices Silenced by Stigma

One anonymous soldier recounted: “During a tough operation, I couldn’t sleep or eat. When I asked to speak to a mental health officer, my commander told me to ‘man up.’ It felt like I was invisible.” Such stories are common. Soldiers have shared harrowing accounts of being belittled or even threatened when seeking help. In one case, a platoon commander dismissed mental health support as “injecting defeatism” and accused a struggling soldier of “betraying his nation and comrades.”

This culture of toxic masculinity silences soldiers who need help, stigmatizing vulnerability as a weakness. Many fear seeking treatment, opting instead for anonymous hotlines and AI-powered apps. In fact, online nonprofit Sahar reported a 172% increase in calls from young people aged 18–20 during the war, reflecting the overwhelming mental health crisis among IDF soldiers. PAIRS Foundation reported more than 200,000 people downloaded the PAIRS Yodi App that provides confidential cognitive behavioral therapy tools.


Why Emotional Support Is Crucial

Combat zones place unimaginable stress on soldiers, who endure constant fear, loss, and trauma. These emotions, left unaddressed, can escalate, compromising not only individual well-being but also unit cohesion and mission readiness. Suppressing emotions creates a dangerous environment, where unresolved stress leads to burnout, detachment, and in too many cases, suicide.

Evidence shows that emotional health is critical to resilience. Militaries like the U.S. Army integrate mental health education into resilience programs, and Australia’s Defence Force offers confidential counseling through its Open Arms initiative. These examples demonstrate that prioritizing mental health is feasible and effective, even in high-stress environments.


Solutions for a Mental Health Crisis

Addressing the rising suicide rates in the IDF requires a multifaceted approach, blending systemic reforms with cultural change:

  1. Amplify Soldiers’ Voices: Establish safe spaces for soldiers to share their struggles without fear of judgment or retaliation. Leaders must model vulnerability and make mental health a core value.
  2. Reform Leadership Training: Equip commanders with emotional intelligence skills, enabling them to recognize signs of distress and respond empathetically. Vulnerability must be reframed as a strength.
  3. Integrate Mental Health into Operations: Make mental health care a routine part of military life, including regular group counseling and processing sessions. The IDF has begun these initiatives, but their scope must be expanded and enforced.
  4. Leverage Technology: Tools like the PAIRS Yodi App, which provides confidential access to cognitive behavioral therapy, offer a vital bridge for soldiers wary of traditional channels.
  5. Learn from Global Models: By studying successful programs in other militaries, the IDF can tailor solutions to its unique cultural and operational context.

A Call to Action

The rise in suicides among IDF soldiers is a wake-up call that cannot be ignored. It is a stark reminder that emotional well-being is as critical as physical readiness. Soldiers are not machines; they are human beings whose resilience depends on the health of their minds and hearts.

True strength lies not in suppressing emotions but in facing them. By integrating innovative tools, training leaders to prioritize emotional intelligence, and fostering open conversations about mental health, the IDF can lead by example, redefining what it means to support soldiers.

Every soldier deserves the tools, support, and hope they need to win their silent battles. Together, we can save lives and honor the humanity of those who serve.

About the Author
Seth Eisenberg is the President & CEO of the PAIRS Foundation, where he leads award-winning initiatives focused on trauma-informed care and emotional intelligence. Connect with him via linktr.ee/seth.eisenberg.
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