The mental health situation in Palestine has deteriorated significantly since October 7th and the continuous aggressive Israeli war on Gaza, with an overwhelming rise in psychological distress reported across communities. While public statements may claim that mental health needs are sufficiently met, field evidence from our clinical psychologists and recent research tells a very different story. The escalation in violence, military incursions, home demolitions, and mass arrests have created layers of emotional and psychological trauma that many Palestinians are still struggling to process. Every day, organizations providing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) face increased demand and limited resources.
A recent study conducted by the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC) documented the experiences of 100 Palestinians detained by Israeli forces after October 7th. The findings were shocking: 83% of participants showed symptoms of moderate to severe depression, and 63% met the clinical criteria for PTSD. Each individual had endured a median of 29 different torture or ill-treatment methods, many of which were psychological in nature—such as deprivation of time awareness and threats of re-arrest—and were perceived by participants as more damaging than physical injuries. These symptoms are not isolated cases but reflect a broader mental health emergency affecting communities across the West Bank, particularly those exposed to conflict and continuous traumatic stress.
The study, based on interviews conducted by trained therapists, offers rare evidence of the psychological toll of detention and occupation. Participants were assessed using validated tools, and their experiences shed light on the nature of trauma under continuous threat. Particularly alarming were the findings that psychological harm was often more severe in response to non-physical torture, such as sleep deprivation, forced disorientation, and humiliation. These forms of abuse, while less visible, leave deep emotional scars that continue to affect individuals long after release. The repeated and multi-layered nature of trauma, accumulated over time, significantly deepens its impact. It not only disrupts an individual’s present functioning and performance but also casts a long shadow over their future, affecting emotional resilience, decision-making, and overall life trajectory. In light of these complexities, therapeutic interventions must be carefully designed to acknowledge and address the chronic, evolving, and multifaceted nature of such trauma. The data further supports the urgent need for trauma-focused mental health services for Palestinians living under occupation.
New data from TRC shows how much the need for mental health support has grown. Between January 2022 and early October 2023, TRC helped 1,817 people. After October 7th, that number jumped to 11,658 up until July 2025. The number of people with PTSD went up from 313 to 1,704. The number of psychological first aid (PFA) sessions also increased a lot — from 2,739 to 17,497. Depression cases more than doubled. These numbers clearly show that the situation has become much worse, and that people are suffering more. The need for mental health services is growing fast, and current services are not enough to meet this demand.
|
|
Beneficiaries
|
|
Date
|
Case Management
|
PFA
|
TOTAL
|
|
1-1-2022 -
6-10-2023
|
998
|
819
|
1817
|
|
7-10-2023 - 24-7-2025
|
3623
|
8033
|
11658
|
|
|
Number
of Sessions
|
|
Date
|
Case Management
|
PFA
|
TOTAL
|
|
1-1-2022 - 6-10-2023
|
7469
|
2739
|
10208
|
|
7-10-2023 - 24-7-2025
|
13643
|
17497
|
31146
|
Despite the dedication and resilience of local mental health providers, services cannot keep up with the increasing needs—especially in rural and marginalized areas. The demand for psychosocial support services remains exceptionally high across both Gaza and the West Bank. Most of our beneficiaries have been exposed to multiple, ongoing traumas, and the intensity and frequency of these experiences continue to rise. Despite the dedication of our staff, the overwhelming needs far exceed our current capacity. Survivors of detention, children witnessing violence, and families coping with constant instability all require consistent support that is currently out of reach for many. The psychological toll of occupation, detention, and insecurity is not something that goes away easily.
These results prove that the mental health situation is in dire need of support, especially at this critical moment. The sharp rise in cases of depression, PTSD, and the growing number of people seeking help highlight a deepening crisis that can no longer be ignored. The need for mental health and psychosocial support is very urgent, and without intervention, Palestinians will continue to suffer in silence, unable to access the help they desperately need.
