Israel-Gaza War, Mental Health

Defense Ministry issues call for technologies and methods to help diagnose and treat post-battle trauma

The methods and technology arose from an acute need driven by the war in Gaza, not just for individual soldiers, but for the army and families and communities as a whole.

Male and female soldiers suffering from battle-driven trauma. Illustration. (Photo: Master1305/Shutterstock)

The Directorate of Defence Research & Development at the Defense Ministry has issued a call for technologies and treatments to help soldiers, families, and the army as a whole quickly diagnose and effectively treat post-battle PTSD, anxiety, and other related mental ailments.

As the call itself notes, this effort comes due to a surge in mental health issues arising from months of intensive combat in the Gaza Strip, and aims to treat the problems as quickly and effectively as possible.

According to Defense Ministry statistics, and as of January 25, 2024, some 4,600 IDF soldiers have been wounded since October 7, with about 60 wounded being added every day and 20% suffering from mental ailments such as PTSD, according to reporting by Calcalist.

The IDF has also developed an app containing a simple psychological test meant to help prevent soldiers from developing PTSD when they go into combat.

The app, called Keshev Kravi or "Combat Attention," is based on research done at Tel Aviv University on soldiers who fought in Operation Protective Edge in 2014.

The idea is simple: soldiers who try and divert attention from threats are at a higher risk of developing PTSD, according to the Protective Edge study and subsequent replications.

So, the app trains soldiers to look directly at something threatening a number of times to train their brain to not look away. Users of the app are given two faces to look at - one angry and one neutral. A red dot will appear, which the user must press as quickly as possible.

To ensure that users get used to looking at the unpleasant, angry picture, which simulates a threat, the red dot generally appears on the picture of the angry face.

0 Comments

Do not send comments that include inflammatory words, defamation, and content that exceeds the limit of good taste.

Israel-Hezbollah War

REVEALED: IDF exposes major Hezbollah terror tunnel | WATCH

Avi Woolf | 05.10.24

IDF, War in Lebanon, 36th Division

IDF expands its Lebanon offensive with another division

Avi Nachmani | 02.10.24

Iran attack, Ballistic missiles, Israel at war

With trembling hands: more uncovered details about the Iranian attack

Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 02.10.24

Rocket interception, Iran attack, Ballistic missiles, Israel under fire

These are the countries that helped Israel intercept the Iranian attack

1
| Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 02.10.24

Hod Hasharon, Iran attack, Israel at war, Ballistic missiles fired

Damage Revealed: Approximately 100 Homes in Hod Hasharon Affected by Iranian Attack

Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 02.10.24

Israeli retaliation, Iran missile attack

The end of Iran? Report: This is how the Israeli attack will be carried out

1
| Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 02.10.24

Halevi response, Iran attack, Israel at war, IDF Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff After Situation Assessment: "We Will Choose When to Exact the Price"

Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 01.10.24

Hezbollah war, Israel in Lebanon, IDF ground operation

First Step on Hezbollah Soil: Documentation of the Entry of Division 98 into Lebanon

1
| Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 01.10.24

Iran Attack, statistic, Israeli defence, Iron dome, interceptions

The shocking summary of the Iran attack: 1,864 Sirens, 2 Lightly Injured by Shrapnel

Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 01.10.24

Netanyahu Cabinet meeting, Israeli PM response, Iranian attack

Netanyahu's pointed response to the Iran attack on Israel

Eliana Fleming, JFeed Staff | 01.10.24
JFeed App Icon
Get the app JFeed