In the wake of antisemitism and collective trauma: Jewish mental health professionals’ experiences after October 7th

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ABSTRACT There has been a notable surge in the demand for mental health services within Israeli and diasporic Jewish communities in the aftermath of the October 7th attack on Israel and subsequent Israel-Hamas war. It is as though Pandora’s box has been opened, exposing a profound lack of awareness about the insidious nature of antisemitism and its manifestation within the field of Mental Health. This mixed method study examines two different yet related questions: (1) What were the experiences of Jewish mental health professionals assisting individuals in Israel post-October 7th? (2) What challenges emerged for mental health professionals post-October 7th within their work environments and communities? This study focuses on the qualitative aspects of a mixed-methods study. The primary focus is on insights from 15 semi-structured interviews exploring participants’ stress levels, concerns about antisemitism, and roles in addressing increased mental health needs in Israel since October 7th, 2023. Quantitative data from 91 mental health professionals are summarized descriptively. Findings indicate that many participants experienced a significant shift in their sense of self, feeling an increased need to protect their Jewish identity. Involvement in Israel-related projects was associated with reduced worry and a greater sense of control. They communicated a desire to both seek support from and provide support for other Jewish colleagues. Over half of the participants reported increased burnout and compassion fatigue, particularly those in nonprofit settings. This research highlights the need to develop a framework that better supports Jewish mental health professionals, and emphasizes the importance of implementing policies that effectively handle incidents of antisemitism. There must be professional spaces where Jewish therapists are genuinely included and supported—spaces that prevent them from feeling so marginalized that they have to create their own external, separate networks for support.