IDF Suicide Prevention: Protecting Those Who Protect Us
Military

IDF Suicide Prevention: Protecting Those Who Protect Us

Israel's soldiers carry more than weapons—they carry weight. The psychological toll of combat, loss, and moral complexity can linger long after the battlefield quiets.

May 18, 20241 min read

Israel's soldiers carry more than weapons—they carry weight. The psychological toll of combat, loss, and moral complexity can linger long after the battlefield quiets.

Mental Health First Aid Israel has partnered with military units to expand suicide-awareness training among officers and peers. The goal: normalize help-seeking and reduce the stigma that can be especially fierce in uniform.

Training includes identifying warning signs—changes in behavior, expressions of hopelessness, withdrawal from unit cohesion—and learning how to respond without judgment.

Peer support is emphasized. Soldiers often confide in each other before they confide in commanders or counselors. An MHFA-trained buddy can become a lifeline.

Protecting those who protect us is not just a slogan—it's a responsibility.

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