Efforts to support special-needs soldiers serving in the Israeli defense forces.
Providing treatment and support to special-needs populations can decrease psychopathology and suicide rates. Because service in the military is an important socializing force in Israeli society and most Israelis serve, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) makes special efforts to identify, treat, and support soldiers with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive problems. This column describes the IDF's efforts for three groups of soldiers with special needs, with a focus on those with the most severe problems who receive support throughout their service to address psychopathology and suicidality. Suicide rates for the IDF population and for the three groups are reported.
Bodner
Ehud
E
Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 52900 Ramat-Gan, Israel. bodnere@mail.biu.ac.il
Iancu
Iulian
I
Sarel
Amiram
A
Einat
Haim
H
D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D000092864:Suicide Prevention