OCTOBER 17, 2026 08:44

Since the Israeli voluntary group ERAN was established in 1971, it has never handled as many requests for assistance as in the past three years.

The severe psychological impact, fears, and persistent anxiety triggered by the Hamas attack in the south led to 928,911 calls: 316,514 in year one, 320,486 in year two, and 291,911 in year three.

The horror of the incursion, killings, hostage situations, assaults, and ruined homes in border areas turned ERAN into a vital emotional resource for people of every age.

Skilled counselors at ERAN offer free round-the-clock support by phone, while public mental health services remain limited in availability.

Of all contacts, 21,829 concerned suicidal thoughts, plans, or acts, averaging 2.35 percent across the period.

Grasping the mental health emergency

Suicidal distress arises from multiple elements, so the pattern cannot be linked only to the conflict or one factor alone, noted ERAN CEO David Koren.

Among youth and teens, suicide topics stood out sharply and nearly doubled over the three years, climbing from 2.6 percent in the first year to 4.4 percent by the third.

For soldiers, reports of violence and sexual abuse increased from 5 percent to 10 percent in the second year and held at 8 percent in the third.

Loneliness inquiries among the wider population grew from 28 percent in the first year to 41 percent by the third, added Koren, who has led the group since returning in 2011 after an earlier term.

His background includes mediation and crisis training, a social work degree from the University of Haifa, and service on the Israeli Trauma Coalition board.

Maria Berta Zaslany launched the group in Jerusalem to honor her late husband, Dr. Arieh Zaslany, who directed school mental health services in the city for more than 18 years and advised the municipality on psychiatric matters.

He focused on aiding those with suicidal tendencies and helped many turn away from such acts. Following his death in 1968 at age 57, the first office operated from Mrs. Zaslany's home and expanded into a nationwide network.

We function as a social indicator, Koren said, having spent over five decades delivering immediate psychological aid to anyone seeking an attentive ear and encouragement.

Through repeated crises and uncertain times, the group has built a strong dedication to remaining available, compassionate, and reachable for all Israelis at every hour and day.

The three years of conflict have created a severe and sustained situation where each call represents someone facing pain, grief, worry, isolation, or exhaustion, often in combination.

An increase in strain

When asked about the main shift in the types of distress reported, Koren noted that people came to view the conflict as unending after expecting resolution within months rather than years. The emotional burden has proven immense, affecting everyone by reducing patience and weakening ties to surroundings while requiring constant vigilance.

Reserve troops face heavy pressure as they and their families struggle to resume normal routines, with many losing employment or businesses, and repeated call-ups proving especially taxing.

Uncertainty weighs heavily on children and teens, who show marked rises in distress, while adults over 25 deal with mounting tension and fatigue that COVID had already intensified. Such responses are understandable given the abnormal conditions.

Young callers describe issues with schooling, higher education, military obligations, interrupted learning, and unclear prospects, all stemming from shattered daily patterns.

Some mention thoughts of leaving Israel due to fear or despair, though exact figures remain unavailable.

ERAN cannot track repeat callers or multiple issues per person and must report raw totals, Koren explained, while lacking details on specific groups such as immigrants since all contacts stay anonymous.

Backing the volunteers

The group's 1,800 volunteers nationwide also require emotional support themselves.

Numbers fall short, with branches in Australia fielding 50 volunteers and one in North America with 150 who handle most late-night Israeli queries.

The Aliyah and Integration Ministry funds professional counselors fluent in Russian, Amharic, Arabic, French, and Spanish for five-hour afternoon and evening shifts.

Anyone over 25 from any background who can listen with empathy may join as a volunteer, provided they read, write, and speak Hebrew. Some staff branches while others answer calls from home.

A core team of 50 employees manages headquarters, branches, and coordination.

ERAN receives contacts from Israelis outside the standard mental health system who now seek urgent help, Koren said.

Some turn to AI tools such as ChatGPT or Gemini for advice, which can offer value yet differ from the human connection ERAN provides.

Dr. Shiri Daniels, the national professional director, added that daily life requires noticing those in difficulty, spotting distress signals, asking directly about suicidal ideas when worried, listening carefully, and ensuring support arrives before problems worsen.

People navigate a pseudo-routine where most continue working, studying, parenting, and managing daily tasks, yet such functioning does not always reflect true mental health.

With persistent uncertainty and threats, strain can build gradually into exhaustion, isolation, relationship strains, and weakened feelings of stability.

For mental health support, call 1201 at any hour or contact ERAN via WhatsApp at 052-8451201.