What’s happening:
Mental health professionals in Israel are sounding the alarm over the anticipated increase in demand for mental health services following the war. Hospital administrators have warned that they might be unable to provide adequate care due to a lack of preparedness and resources.
Why it matters:
The mental health system is already under strain with personnel shortages and insufficient standards. The end of the war is expected to bring a significant surge in patient numbers, with an estimated 200,000 individuals needing care. This could lead to a crisis in mental health services, impacting the well-being of thousands.
The big picture:
Hospital managers are considering going public with their concerns if the Health Ministry does not prepare for the expected influx of patients. This move would highlight the severity of the situation and the potential consequences of inaction.
By the numbers:
Even before the war, the mental health system was strained with some doctors responsible for up to 100 inpatients per shift. With the war’s end, both new and existing patients could overwhelm the system.
On the ground:
Hospital administrators are urging immediate action to encourage therapists to return to public service, demanding fair wages to prevent professionals from leaving for private practice. A hospital manager points out that a senior doctor in the public sector earns significantly less than what they could make in private practice in just a few hours.
The response:
The Health Ministry has stated that a comprehensive plan is in place to address mental health post-war, focusing on enhancing compensation and incentives for psychiatry specialization. Negotiations are underway with the Ministry of Finance to implement this plan.
What’s next:
The mental health community awaits the Health Ministry’s public unveiling of its plan to bolster the system and prevent a full-blown crisis in the wake of the war’s end.
This story was first published on ynetnews.