32% of 'Israelis' say they need mental health support following two years of war

• 32 percent of 'Israelis' seek mental health support after two years of war
• Nearly 4 in 10 IOF personnel report mental health struggles in 2025 survey

A recent year-end survey by Maccabi Healthcare Services reveals that 32 percent of 'Israelis' now feel they need professional mental health support, reflecting the psychological toll after two years of war.

The impact is even more pronounced among Israeli Occupation Forces personnel, including both conscripts and reservists. Among them, 39 percent report requiring mental health assistance, 26 percent express concern about depression, and 48 percent struggle with sleep disturbances.

The survey, conducted in November, sampled 1,100 'Israelis' aged 20–75 nationwide and combined self-reported responses with anonymized medical records from roughly 2.7 million Maccabi members.

Overall, nearly one in three 'Israelis' acknowledges needing professional mental health care, and 17 percent describe their mental well-being as fair or poor,up from 13 percent before the conflict.

Physical health trends present a more mixed picture. While 62 percent of respondents rate their physical health as very good or excellent, an increase compared with pre-war levels, sedentary lifestyles remain prevalent.

'Israelis' sit an average of 8.2 hours per day, with 20 percent sitting more than 11 hours, and roughly 30 percent report no regular aerobic activity. At the same time, interest in fitness is strong, with about 2.5 million workout sessions logged via Maccabi’s UPAPP in 2025. Pilates led in popularity, followed by gym workouts and yoga.

Smoking rates have worsened, with 30 percent of smokers reporting an increase over the past year. Meanwhile, nearly half of 'Israelis' say they follow a healthy lifestyle to a significant extent, a rise of approximately 15 percent from pre-war levels.

Maccabi’s medical records also show a 7 percent increase in winter illnesses during 2024–2025 compared with the previous year, and a 4 percent decline in births. Preventive cancer screenings remained relatively stable, though cervical cancer screening showed slight growth. The use of injectable obesity treatments surged, with over 100,000 members purchasing hundreds of thousands of packages, while bariatric surgeries dropped by 17 percent.

Common medical diagnoses in 2025 included upper respiratory tract infections, abdominal pain, coughing, and lower back pain for adults, and sore throat, abdominal pain, and fever for children.

When seeking medical information, 57 percent of 'Israelis' turn to online sources, 50 percent consult healthcare professionals, 44 percent visit health fund or hospital websites, and 32 percent rely on AI tools. However, only 21 percent express high trust in AI-based advice, while a third say they have no trust at all.

Flu vaccination rates remain low, with 40 percent of respondents reporting they have never received a flu shot and only 4 percent planning vaccination in 2025.

“In times of uncertainty and rapid change, it is critical to understand both the health realities and perceptions of Israeli citizens,” said Sigal Dadon-Levi, CEO of Maccabi Healthcare Services. “This data should guide policymakers in crafting targeted responses to the nation’s evolving health challenges.”