Jerusalem - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
We arrived in June before the October 7 massacres and the subsequent rocket barrages and drone/missile attacks that have since become a part of normal life (we are at the one-year mark and it continues). My neighbor was very relaxed about the rocket sirens and it was a big help to me to take my cues from her. I noticed that the people of Jerusalem mostly take the threats in stride and life continues defiantly. Another embassy family that lived nearby couldn't handle the stress and they left post early. It was a great comfort to me to silence the phone alarms that would sound constantly indicating barrages anywhere in the country. Now we simply run to our safe-room when the local neighborhood sirens are sounded (once every few months at present). In Jerusalem we have received far fewer attacks and threats than Tel-Aviv. We are told that while the Iron Dome continues to be effective, families will be permitted to stay. In spite of being at war, we do feel safe where we are. It's easier for some people than others, and also easier at some times than at other times. I'm not always brave. For those who work more intimately with the local population there is is the added difficulty of mourning those who have died (everyone knows someone), of being burdened for those on the front lines, of relationships severed over political positions, of being confronted with racism in both directions... - Sep 2024
There are a lack of English-speaking therapists and psychologists in Israel, despite the overwhelming number of English-speaking immigrants here. There is usually a wait list to be seen, and many say that they are not seeing new patients. Native Hebrew-speaking therapists may think they can conduct therapy sessions in English and it may or may not work out. This is especially true for teens. As a result, the psychiatric hospital close to Jerusalem, Eitanim, has an excess of English speakers as they have trouble getting help outside of a hospital setting. SAD is definitely not a thing anywhere in NEA. - Nov 2022
This is a really, really stressful place to live and that can cause or exacerbate mental health issues. Be gentle with yourself, take your R&Rs, and get out of Jerusalem as much as needed -- even Tel Aviv or the North can be a welcome break (women in shorts! food on Shabbat! Mixed seating in synagogues! It all feels very radical after too long in Jerusalem...). - Oct 2019
Lots of sun here! It just seems a little stressful at times due to the political tension and the honking gets on everyone's nerves. - Aug 2018
No, the weather is beautiful. The security environment and the amount of hatred on both sides might cause some anxiety and stress, but it is what you would expect and expats are not that personally involved. - Apr 2018
- Dec 2016
