Ministry of Health: Mental health is the most important issue
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Ministry of Health: Mental health is the most important issue

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Senior Israeli health officials gathered to speak at the conference “Mental Health: From Personal to National Health,” organized Wednesday by Enosh – the Israel Mental Health Association.

“We all struggle with mental health issues, either directly or through supporting loved ones,” said Moshe Bar Siman Tov, director general of the Ministry of Health. “Mental health has been part of everyone’s history, even before the war.”

“In 2025, the amount of support will double to around 600 million shekels,” announced Health Minister Uriel Busso. “With the expansion of mental health crisis teams and the training of mental health support specialists.”

The CEO commented on the many hardships Israeli youth have faced in recent years. “There was the challenge of COVID-19, which brought mental health to the forefront, and now the war. The lack of returning to school also contributes to this problem,” he said.

“We also see the resilience of Israeli society, which is a point of strength in our ability to deal with these things. A resilience that does not exempt us from doing the work ourselves. We are not just talking about mental health; we are dealing with mental health.”

In his speech, the Director-General discussed the introduction of what he described as the “fourth reform in this area”.

“We are working to create a new approach in psychiatry that aims to move mental health as much as possible into the community and as little as possible into hospitals,” he said. “We want integration between the general health system and mental health. We are working to promote individual autonomy and to promote and rethink rehabilitation. Now it is our responsibility to make the coming year better than the last.”

Executive Director Enosh Hilla Hadas (Source: AYALA IVGY)

Dr. Hilla Hadas

Enosh Association CEO Dr. Hilla Hadas highlighted the difficulties the mental health sector is currently facing due to lack of resources. “I expect and believe in possible changes in this matter,” she said. “On October 10, 2023, we were supposed to meet in a similar composition and approach — and significantly mark the International Mental Health Day at the President’s House at the initiative of the President’s wife. The events of October 7 crushed the meeting and forever added a frightening proximity of dates to the national calendar.”

She added that this is what prompted her decision to hold the conference so close to the October 7 anniversary to show how important it is to act before a crisis.

“We have a duty to be prepared, to assess, and to plan—to initiate and practice commitment and responsibility for collective action as a way to reduce the intensity of the surprise that is likely to come. Only together will we change the reality, both that imposed on us as individuals and that in which we operate as leaders.”

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Michael Herzog

President Isaac Herzog’s wife, Michal Herzog, also attended the conference and shared her feelings about the hostages.

“I believe that the state of Israel is doing everything it can to bring the hostages home,” said Michal Herzog, President Herzog’s wife. “This should not be a political issue; we have to bring and send everyone home. I know how difficult this situation is, and the uncertainty is the hardest part. This morning I read excerpts from the U.S. Department of Justice indictment; the descriptions hit me in the stomach again, and it’s very difficult. One of the verdicts is about sexual assaults that were part of the weapons of war of this cruel terrorist organization, and we can’t forget that.”

“I’ve known the hostage families for 11 months, and it’s very personal,” Herzog continued. “Hersh’s parents have become real friends. Those who live in hell have to go back – Israeli society will never be the same. Personally, in terms of my psychological feelings, I feel they’re cumulating. We’re exposed to a lot of pain, grief and fear, but there’s less shame now. I swim, so I feel the water has a liberating effect when I’m alone.”



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