The demand for professional mental health services has been substantial, with 35% of spouses seeking psychological help following their partner’s reserve duty.
Figures released by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics on Sunday reveal the profound impact of extended reserve duty on military families, with nearly half of marriages suffering damage and more than half of children experiencing mental health deterioration.
The comprehensive study, conducted between April-May 2025, surveyed families of reservists who served in the IDF during routine operations or under emergency orders between Oct. 7, 2023-Feb. 1, 2025. The findings paint a stark picture of the war’s collateral damage on the home front.
According to the survey, approximately half of wives married to reserve servicemen reported that their marital relationship was damaged as a result of their partner’s extended service. About one-third of these women admitted that the damage led to thoughts of separation or divorce.
The correlation between service length and relationship strain is particularly striking. While 36% of spouses married to reservists who served up to 50 days reported harm to their relationship, this figure jumped dramatically to 57% among spouses of those who served 200-350 days.
“The longer the reserve service, the greater the impact on family stability,” the report said.
IDF soldiers operating in Gaza City in the Gaza Strip, July 20, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT)
Children have not been spared from the psychological toll. The survey found that 52% of spouses reported a negative change in their children’s mental state following reserve service. This percentage climbed to 63% among families where the father served 200-250 days.
The mental health crisis extends beyond the children to the spouses themselves. A significant 61% of wives of reserve servicemen reported needing some form of assistance following their partner’s service, with 55% requiring psychological or emotional support and 38% needing financial assistance.
Professional mental health services
The demand for professional mental health services has been substantial, with 35% of spouses seeking psychological help following their partner’s reserve duty. Among wives of ground forces personnel, this figure reached 68%, reflecting the particularly intense nature of infantry service during the conflict.
“The longer the reserve service, up to 250 days, the higher the percentage of spouses seeking psychological…
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