The invisible trauma victims of the Gaza conflict
Opinion: When considering the data during a flare-up between the IDF and Palestinian factions, few take into account the tremendous mental health cost of the populace facing constant stress
We can easily assess the extent of fear and shock experienced by people who awake from their sleep to the sound of a siren indicating an imminent rocket attack by the sheer amount of injuries sustained during the latest round of fighting between Israel and Hamas; most injuries were sustained while running in terror to the bomb shelter.
Time and time again, sometimes even multiple times during one night, they are overwhelmed by the stress and anxiety, reminding them of the harsh reality in which they live and cannot escape, because they must always be alert for the next siren warning them of yet another ballistic danger to them and their loved ones.
Now multiply that by the 200,000 children who did not go to school Sunday, and add to that an additional 200,000 adults — parents, the elderly, teachers, the disabled, new immigrants — and calculate how many more victims are added to the "circle of trauma" with each rocket fired from Gaza.
Everybody seems to be meticulously counting the amount of strikes, the death count and other figures. But who is counting all of those affected by the trauma? The same trauma experienced following each round of fighting and terror attack.
The study was conducted in conjunction with the Social Security Institute, the Health Ministry, the Ministry of Welfare and the Israeli Trauma Coalition. It also found that 39% of adults suffer from feelings of chronic anxiety, 28.4% of them suffer from anger management issues, 35% suffer from insomnia and sleep issues and 30% have trouble concentrating.
As the rockets radius expands, the circle of trauma victims is enlarged. The overcrowded trauma centers established in the Gaza region will need to be replicated in cities and towns further north, with all their associated costs.
It is not enough for the security cabinet to meet behind closed doors, they must also go out and encourage the public with hope and the demonstration of true leadership. The residents need to feel acknowledged, publicly.
Acknowledgement of their plight is part of the war effort. And words are not enough. They ought to receive economic benefits in order to help ease their difficult plight and maintain national resilience in the face of adversity.
