Silent Struggles: Disparities in Mental Health Support for Arab Patients in Israel

Israel | Suicides in the Sector: “It Takes Twice as Long for an Arab Patient to Seek Help”

Suicide is a major public health problem in Israel, and it is particularly prevalent among Arab citizens. In 2022, there were 528 suicides in Israel, of which 187 were Arab citizens. This means that Arab citizens accounted for 35% of all suicides in Israel, even though they make up only 20% of the population.

There are a number of reasons why suicide is so prevalent among Arab citizens in Israel. One reason is that they are more likely to experience discrimination and marginalization. They are also more likely to live in poverty and to have limited access to healthcare.

Another reason why suicide is so prevalent among Arab citizens is that they are less likely to seek help for mental health problems. This is due to a number of factors, including cultural stigma, fear of discrimination, and lack of trust in the healthcare system.

A recent study by the Arab Health Forum found that it takes twice as long for an Arab patient to seek help for a mental health problem than it does for a Jewish patient. The study also found that Arab patients are less likely to be diagnosed with a mental health problem and less likely to receive treatment.

The study’s findings highlight the need to address the barriers that Arab patients face in accessing mental health care. These barriers include cultural stigma, fear of discrimination, and lack of trust in the healthcare system.

There are a number of things that can be done to address these barriers. One is to raise awareness of mental health problems in the Arab community. This can be done through education and outreach programs.

Another is to train healthcare providers to be more culturally sensitive. This will help to ensure that Arab patients feel comfortable seeking help and that they receive the care they need.

It is also important to improve access to mental health care in Arab communities. This can be done by increasing the number of Arab mental health professionals and by providing mental health services in Arab languages.

The high rate of suicide among Arab citizens in Israel has a number of negative impacts. It leads to loss of life, pain and suffering for families and friends, and economic costs.

The high rate of suicide also contributes to the social and economic marginalization of Arab citizens. It creates a climate of fear and distrust, and it makes it difficult for Arab citizens to participate fully in society.

Suicide is a serious problem in Israel, and it is particularly prevalent among Arab citizens. There are a number of factors that contribute to this, including discrimination, marginalization, and lack of access to healthcare.

There are a number of things that can be done to address this problem, including raising awareness of mental health problems in the Arab community, training healthcare providers to be more culturally sensitive, and improving access to mental health care in Arab communities.

By addressing these challenges, we can help to reduce the rate of suicide among Arab citizens in Israel and improve their overall well-being.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please reach out for help. There are many resources available, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) and the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741).

You are not alone. There is help available. Please reach out for help.