SDOT YAM, Israel (AP) — Israel’s longest war has pushed thousands of Israeli soldiers to the brink, leaving a growing number struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other mental health issues after two years of fighting in Gaza.
As suicides rise and the military races to expand its mental health services, experts warn Israel is not yet equipped to deal with the scale of the crisis.
Grassroots organizations and individuals are stepping in to fill the gaps, from therapy programs to animal-assisted rehabilitation farms like Back2Life in Sdot Yam kibbutz, where former fighters find brief moments of calm among rescue animals.
Israeli soldiers walk on the beach with animals near a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, near Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israeli soldiers walk on the beach with animals near a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, near Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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An Israeli soldier receives touch therapy at a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
An Israeli soldier receives touch therapy at a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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Israeli soldiers interact with dogs at a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israeli soldiers interact with dogs at a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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An Israeli soldier receives touch therapy at a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
An Israeli soldier receives touch therapy at a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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Assi Nave, founder of Back2Life, stands in the farm in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. The group helps soldiers combat mental health problems by working with animals. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Assi Nave, founder of Back2Life, stands in the farm in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. The group helps soldiers combat mental health problems by working with animals. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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An Israeli soldier receives touch therapy at a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
An Israeli soldier receives touch therapy at a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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Israeli soldiers interact with animals on a beach near a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, near Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israeli soldiers interact with animals on a beach near a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, near Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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Israeli soldiers interact with animals near a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israeli soldiers interact with animals near a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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Israeli soldiers walk on the beach with animals near a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, near Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israeli soldiers walk on the beach with animals near a farm in central Israel run by Back2Life, a group helping soldiers combat mental health problems, near Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel, on Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. Helplines outside the U.S. can be found at www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts.
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