Surrounded yet alone: The hidden loneliness behind Israel’s mental health crisis – opinion

The tragic suicide of Bar Asraf, who died at the grave of his murdered girlfriend, has highlighted a hidden loneliness within Israel's mental health crisis, despite outward appearances of resilience. Asraf's sister, Lihi, noted, "He apparently started to feel lonely. You couldn't tell. He was always happy and laughing." A study by the University of Haifa and Ben-Gurion University, analyzing helpline data post-October 7, found that while suicidality and depression decreased, loneliness became a dominant concern, particularly among women and younger users. Loneliness, defined as a painful feeling of disconnection, can exist even when surrounded by others and is a significant risk factor for various physical and psychological disorders. The article emphasizes that loneliness is often invisible and urges both mental health professionals and the general public to actively address it, encouraging individuals to express their loneliness and others to reach out to those they suspect may be suffering in silence.