There is great distress among teens and children during the current war and an insufficient professional response available. An annual survey of 500 psychologists conducted by the Forum of Organizations for Public Psychology on the subject of requests for mental health care among teenagers and children since the outbreak of the war, and the availability of professionals, reveals a worrying reality.
The survey indicates a surge in applications for psychological treatment in this public service sector but, due to the burdens on public medicine, there currently are waiting times, including six months to a year for an appointment with a psychologist.
Some 91% of the psychologists stated in the survey that there was an increase in the level of distress of the children and youth. A total of 86% reported an increase in the number of referrals for psychological intervention, while 77% explained that there is an increase in the severity of the cases that are referred. These include anxiety, behavior problems, social difficulties, depression, learning difficulties, dropping out of school and suicide attempts. At the same time, the psychologists also detected an increase in distress among the parents and educational staff.
Yifat Sade, one of the leaders of the forum, said that the findings reveal a worrying picture. "The survey also points to heavy burdens on public service," she said, "with long waiting times for treatment and diagnosis, and significant percentages of inquiries that do not receive a response from the public service, or that receive only a partial response. Even before the war, the public psychological services suffered from substandard service, and now it is even more difficult to meet the growing demand. The findings indicate an urgent need to increase resources, infrastructure and support in the public service sector in order to deal with the growing distress and ensure adequate care for those who need it."