Without criteria or oversight: the number of organizations treating PTSD is skyrocketing

An anarchy of hundreds of organizations providing treatment to PTSD victims has developed in Israel during the three years of war since October 7. Some of these entities are causing severe harm to patients, whether through unprofessional methods or treatments that lack necessary clinical follow-up.

This warning comes from the "Back on Track" forum, which brings together more than 50 therapeutic organizations and military unit alumni associations. Coordinated by the NATAL organization, the forum is calling on government ministries to establish uniform criteria for diagnosing and treating PTSD, as well as clear standards for service providers.

A Surge in Unregulated Entities

The rate of people suffering from PTSD symptoms in Israel has jumped from 16.2% to 29.8% since the war began. According to conservative estimates, there are 625,000 people with PTSD in Israel. A review by the "Back on Track" forum of the Ministry of Justice's non-profit registry reveals that 215 new non-profits targeting soldiers and reservists have been registered since 2023, with only 60 receiving a certificate of proper management.

"Since the beginning of the war, a lot of money has been poured into the subject of PTSD," says Ella Bukobza, director of the "Back on Track" forum. "Everyone with good intentions and a few connections to donors abroad has established an association, and anyone with two chickens and a mint patch calls themselves a therapeutic farm." The lack of professional accompaniment in these settings creates severe risks, particularly during flashbacks or acute mental health crises.

The Dangers of Unsupervised Care

Shaked Arieli, director of the Personal Development and Career Unit at NATAL, explains that intensive workshops that lack follow-up support can be damaging. "If a group of PTSD patients goes through a few exciting days and reaches an emotional peak, only to be left at home without support, some will end up with further damage," she warns.

Experts also highlight the issue of group facilitators and therapists who lack specific trauma training. "Just because someone is a psychotherapist does not mean they can treat trauma," Bukobza notes. A study by the Women's Lobby shows that physical and sexual violence rates have doubled among couples where one partner served in the war, reaching 6%.

The Call for Regulation

The "Back on Track" forum has formulated criteria to define the boundaries of therapeutic organizations, arguing that no single entity should attempt to treat everything. They advocate for systematic follow-up, organizational ethics, and strict data privacy protections.

The Ministry of Health stated that while it licenses mental health professionals, it does not supervise private services outside the public system. The Ministry of Defense noted that all services offered to wounded IDF soldiers are strictly regulated and supervised accordingly.