Thousands of lone reservists in the Israeli military, many of whom are experiencing significant psychological distress due to the ongoing conflict, have not received the mental health support they urgently need. Since the war began on October 7, only 500 of the approximately 13,000 lone soldiers in reserve service have received any form of mental health treatment, according to data presented by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during a session of the Knesset’s Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Committee on Wednesday.
The emotional toll of the conflict has been particularly severe on lone soldiers—those serving without family support—many of whom are now in desperate need of psychological help. Despite calls for action, the IDF has yet to allocate additional resources or define clear guidelines for supporting these individuals. Efforts are underway, however, to establish a clear definition for “lone reservists,” a term that is critical for ensuring proper care.
The tragedy of Sergeant First Class Vladislav Sergienko, a paratrooper and lone soldier who died by suicide during reserve service, underscores the urgency of addressing these mental health needs. Sergienko, who left behind a wife and a young child, had requested mental health support months before his death, but his widow, Anna Belashov, shared that she had not received any follow-up assistance from the IDF’s mental health services. “I called in July, and to this day, I’m still waiting for help,” Belashov told the committee. “My spouse is no longer with us, and soldiers feel they can’t unload their burdens in front of a uniformed psychologist. It’s critical to allow them to seek help outside the army.”
Elena Sergienko, the sister of the deceased soldier, echoed her family’s frustration. “The IDF’s mental health center took our details but never contacted us. Meanwhile, psychiatric appointments through his health insurance had a six-month delay. We had to bury my brother before he received the support he needed,” she said.
In response to these concerns, Lt.-Col. Avishag Sabag-Reuven, head of reserves for the IDF, acknowledged the shortcomings in addressing the needs of lone soldiers and pledged to guide commanders to better support this demographic. “We will ensure commanders are fully aware of the plight of lone soldiers, and that they are provided with the relevant information to support them,” Sabag-Reuven said.
The IDF’s psychiatric department has expanded its services, including the creation of a new branch dedicated to post-traumatic care for soldiers. Lt.-Col. Dr. Michal Lipshitz, head of the psychiatric department, confirmed that more than 500 soldiers have received care at this facility since the war’s onset. Additionally, a mental health hotline (6690) has been established to provide immediate support to both regular and reserve soldiers experiencing emotional distress.
Despite these efforts, Knesset Committee Chairman MK Oded Forer emphasized the need for immediate action. Forer set a two-week deadline for the IDF to clarify its definition of “lone reservists” and provide necessary details to the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption to ensure appropriate treatment. Forer also proposed an allocation of 5 million shekels from the Ministry of Defense to fund mental health organizations supporting lone soldiers, noting that the IDF’s current response has been insufficient. “We need quicker, more accessible care,” Forer said. “Time is critical in mental health treatment. The sooner we can act, the fewer suicides we’ll see, and the more likely these soldiers will be able to return to their normal lives.”
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