Tel Aviv University Launching National PTSD Clinic For Soldiers, Civilians 

As Israel approaches the end of its third month of war against Hamas in Gaza, Tel Aviv University has announced the creation of a national clinic for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for both soldiers and civilians. 

Israel declared war on Hamas, which ruled Gaza, immediately after its October 7 terror attack on the country’s southern communities. At least 1,200 people were murdered and thousands wounded in the attack and hundreds more were abducted to the Gaza Strip. 

The clinic is part of the university’s National Center for Traumatic Stress and Resilience, which specializes in post-trauma and related mental health issues. Its expert clinicians are expected to treat large numbers of both civilians and reservist soldiers suffering from PTSD due to the war or other causes. 

Patients will be referred to the clinic for free treatment through the Defense Ministry or National Insurance Institute, but will also be accepted through private avenues with a nominal fee. 

“Right after October 7, when information about the extent of the trauma began to accumulate, we realized there would be large numbers of PTSD sufferers who require long-term professional treatment. Estimates speak of 30,000 new cases of PTSD and related pathologies resulting from the current war,” said Prof. Yair Bar-Haim, the head of the center. 

“So, we decided to undertake this national mission, harnessing TAU’s academic resources and vast professional knowledge on treating PTSD to provide reliable treatment for large numbers of people. 

“Israel’s best PTSD therapists responded to our call and joined the clinic’s permanent staff. The clinic is expected to be the leading facility of its kind in Israel, focusing on the treatment of emotional trauma and related morbidity. The therapeutic team will support sufferers from initial diagnosis to the successful completion of treatments.”