Magen David Adom revealed on Monday the launch of a dedicated mental health emergency response unit, developed in collaboration with Israel's Health Ministry after a triumphant pilot phase.

The national emergency service outlined plans for a gradual rollout in coordination with the ministry, with goals to speed up implementation in the years ahead. Officials emphasized that this initiative will enhance support for those facing mental health crises.

Dr. Raphael Strugo, MDA's Deputy Director-General for Medicine and Blood Services, highlighted mental health emergencies as "among the toughest and most intense challenges our responders encounter."

"With rising crises, MDA is dedicated to delivering appropriate care," Strugo added. "Integrating mental health experts into our dispatch process equips teams to offer top-tier assistance during the hardest times."

Previously, these situations fell to regular medical crews, ambulance dispatchers, and law enforcement, according to MDA. Now, relevant calls shift to a dispatcher trained specifically in mental health for initial assessment.

This dispatcher connects to a crisis intervention team that coordinates with others to handle the incident thoughtfully and decide on next steps.

Each intervention team includes a skilled paramedic paired with a mental health nurse. MDA stressed that police will remain involved in cases requiring it, like those with violence or self-harm risks.

Israel Sees Sharp Increase in Mental Health Calls

The country has experienced a significant uptick in mental health emergencies over the last year, MDA reported, with calls jumping about 45% between 2024 and 2025.

Many incidents tie back to the ongoing war and associated traumas, such as heightened anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.