Teens in Crisis: How Israeli Teens Cope with the Aftermath of COVID-19 and War?

A large-scale study conducted at Bar-Ilan University, in collaboration with and funded by Israel’s Ministries of Education and Health, paints a complex picture of the mental health and well-being of Israeli adolescents. Spanning six turbulent years, from the COVID-19 pandemic through the Iron Swords War, the study reveals a sharp rise in psychological distress while also highlighting the critical role of resilience and protective factors in young people’s lives.

The study was based on a nationally representative sample of 7,424 students in grades 7–12.

Concerning Findings: The Impact of War and Ongoing Crises

The findings point to a significant decline in adolescents’ mental well-being:

Post-traumatic stress (PTSD): 22.3% of adolescents report symptoms at a level indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mental and physical distress: 27.2% of students report experiencing at least two symptoms, such as sleep difficulties, stomachaches, low mood, or irritability, almost every day during the previous six months.

Gender differences: More than one-third of girls (36.5%) report psychological distress, compared with 17.8% of boys. A similar gap is evident in post-traumatic stress symptoms, reported by 25.7% of girls compared with 19% of boys.

Risk behaviors: The study also identifies an increase in addictive behaviors and exposure to violence, alongside an erosion of young people’s optimism about the future.

Sources of Resilience: Family, School, and Community

Despite the serious challenges, the study also offers encouraging and practical insights into adolescents’ ability to cope. Researchers found that 72% of students feel a sense of belonging at school, while 62% said they would turn to their parents when experiencing distress.

Prof. Yossi Harel-Fisch of Bar-Ilan University’s Faculty of Education, head of the University’s international research program on adolescent health and well-being, explains:

“The data show that a significant proportion of adolescents are still coping with considerable psychological distress. At the same time, the findings identify several protective and resilience factors whose presence predicts better coping. These include support from parents and teachers, a cohesive family environment, community involvement, and healthy social connectedness. Intervention strategies designed to strengthen these protective factors can significantly improve adolescents’ emotional well-being and functioning, even during this highly complex period.”

Israel’s Education System Responds to the Findings

In light of the findings and the ongoing state of emergency, Israel’s Ministry of Education is working to expand the support network available to students.

Einav Luk, Director of the Ministry of Education’s Psychological Counseling Service, emphasizes that alongside the difficulties they face, Israeli adolescents are also demonstrating exceptional resilience and civic responsibility, reflected in volunteering and a wide range of social initiatives.

Throughout the summer break, the Ministry of Education continues to operate programs aimed at preventing at-risk situations, expanding counseling services, and providing professional emotional support through the “Kol LaKulam” (“A Voice for Everyone”) support hotline.

About the Study

The data were collected as part of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, a multinational World Health Organization (WHO) research initiative conducted in approximately 50 countries.

In Israel, the study has been conducted continuously since 1986 by a Bar-Ilan University research team led by Prof. Yossi Harel-Fisch and Prof. Sophie Walsh, in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Scientist and the Psychological Counseling Service at the Ministry of Education, as well as the Department of Education and Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health.