Over one-third of Jews living in the diaspora are exhibiting probable signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the conflict that erupted on October 7 and a subsequent rise in antisemitic incidents. A recent report by Hadassah UK in collaboration with mental health charity Jami reveals that 34% of the 511 surveyed individuals met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, despite being geographically distant from the conflict.
The report highlights a troubling trend within the Jewish community in the UK, where over 40% of participants also demonstrated signs of anxiety disorders, and more than a quarter reported symptoms of depression. According to Dr. Shiri Ben-David, a co-author of the report, the findings underscore the ripple effects of trauma that extend beyond the immediate conflict zone.
Trauma and Learned Helplessness
Dr. Ben-David emphasized the significance of “learned helplessness,” a psychological condition where individuals feel they have no control over their circumstances due to repeated negative experiences. She noted, “I didn’t think it would have such an impact on things like encountering antisemitism in your daily life.” The report illustrates a direct correlation between the intensity of media exposure to the events of October 7 and an increase in feelings of helplessness regarding personal safety and community protection.
Participants who engaged more extensively with news coverage reported stronger beliefs in their inability to affect political outcomes or safeguard their well-being. This heightened state of awareness has fostered a climate of hypervigilance, leading to increased psychological stress and a diminished sense of belonging within British society.
Dr. Ben-David also remarked on the influence of Holocaust memories on contemporary experiences of antisemitism. In Australia, the Jewish population primarily consists of second-generation descendants of Holocaust survivors, where the connection between historical trauma and current events is clear. Conversely, in the UK, only 25% of survey participants were direct descendants of Holocaust survivors. Nonetheless, the report found that reminders of the Holocaust resonate deeply across the community, suggesting that the historical trauma is ingrained in collective Jewish identity.
Community Support as a Protective Factor
The report indicates that while some individuals may require therapeutic intervention, social support emerged as a vital protective factor against psychological distress. High-quality relationships with family, friends, and community members can significantly mitigate the effects of trauma exposure. Dr. Ben-David stated, “By providing support to others, you are much less helpless. We want to ‘unlearn’ this learned helplessness by showing that you can actually do things that are meaningful.”
Rob Taub, executive director of Hadassah UK, expressed the report’s importance in clarifying the mental health challenges faced by the Jewish community since October 7. “This report gives clinical clarity to what many in our community have been experiencing,” he said. Taub emphasized the commitment of Hadassah UK to collaborate with local organizations to transform these findings into practical support measures aimed at enhancing resilience and recovery within the community.
The report serves as a critical reminder of the profound mental health impact stemming from both the recent conflict and the rise in antisemitism. For more information or to access the full report, visit hadassahuk.org/hadassah-uk-report-trauma-and-recovery-in-the-face-of-october-7th-war/.
