Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD Remain Widespread Among Young Israelis

Nearly two years after the outbreak of the October 7, 2023 war, the mental health of young Israeli adults is showing encouraging signs of improvement. However, the psychological consequences of the conflict remain significant, according to a national survey conducted jointly by Clalit Health Services and the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute.

The findings reveal that the proportion of Israelis aged 18 to 34 experiencing clinical symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) declined from 51% in December 2023 to 34% in July 2025. This substantial decrease reflects a degree of resilience within the population and highlights the impact of the efforts undertaken by Israel’s healthcare system since the beginning of the war.

Despite this improvement, the situation remains concerning: one in three young adults continues to suffer from psychological disorders at a clinical level.

The study also sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of mental health: the tangible impact these conditions have on daily life. Beyond measuring symptoms, researchers assessed respondents’ ability to study, work, maintain social relationships, and carry out their usual activities.

According to the survey, 23% of young adults reported severe impairment in their daily functioning due to their psychological condition. By comparison, the figure stands at 19% among adults aged 35 and older. In other words, nearly one-quarter of young Israelis report that the emotional consequences of the war are significantly disrupting their everyday lives.

For Professor Ran Balicer, Deputy CEO and Chief Innovation Officer at Clalit, the positive trends observed so far should not lead to complacency.

“The data suggest that the psychological support programs implemented since October 7 are beginning to yield results. Rates of significant symptoms are clearly declining, particularly among young adults. However, we cannot afford to let our guard down,” he explained.

A similar perspective was expressed by the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute. Hadar Samuel emphasized that one of the study’s key strengths lies in its ability to measure the real-world consequences of psychological distress.

“The connection between emotional distress and impaired daily functioning allows us to better understand the impact of the war on the population. The fact that 23% of young adults report severe functional impairment shows that the challenge extends far beyond emotional suffering. It affects people’s ability to study, work, maintain social relationships, and lead a normal life,” she said.

While the overall decline in psychological distress is an encouraging development, experts caution that the figures remain alarming. The fact that one-third of young adults continue to experience significant symptoms and that one-quarter face major difficulties in their daily lives underscores the urgent need to strengthen mental health services, improve accessibility, and develop programs specifically tailored to the needs of Israel’s younger generation.

Caroline Haïat