The ongoing security situation is deepening the distress experienced by Israeli youth, according to data from ELEM’s annual report, which will be presented today (Sunday) to Israel’s President. The report paints a troubling picture of worsening emotional well-being among young people across the country, with sharp increases in reports of self-harm, anxiety, psychoactive substance use, and exposure to violence.

According to the data, reports of self-harm among teenage boys and girls increased by 70% between the period of “Am Kalavi” in 2025 and “Sha’agat HaAri” in 2026. In addition, reported levels of anger among young people rose by 73%.

The report also highlights a direct link between experiences of loss during the war and severe emotional distress: teenagers who experienced loss reported suicide attempt rates 3.7 times higher than those who did not experience loss. The report also found that 82% of these youth reported feelings of loneliness, and 75% reported high levels of anxiety and depression.

Alcohol and drug use is on the rise

Alongside the rise in emotional distress, the report points to a 30% increase in reports of anxiety and a 21% increase in the use of psychoactive substances.

ELEM warns that behaviors once identified primarily among “at-risk youth,” such as alcohol consumption and drug use, have become increasingly common among teenagers from more stable family backgrounds across Israel. Among the youth encountered by ELEM’s teams, 66% reported using alcohol, and 45% reported using drugs — a 19% increase compared with the previous year.

The report also found that more than 40% of teenagers reported feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. It further highlights a significant gap between girls and boys: girls reported self-harm at four times the rate of boys and eating disorders at three times the rate of boys.

One in two teenagers has been exposed to violence

The report also reveals a troubling picture when it comes to violence. 59% of teenagers reported difficulty integrating into social or educational frameworks, and 51% reported that they had been victims of sexual violence.

According to the data, one out of every two teenagers who met with ELEM’s teams had been exposed to at least one form of violence, and approximately 40% had been exposed to three or four types of violence simultaneously. In addition, the report found a 135% increase in online violence and violence within the home.

Over the past year, ELEM’s teams met with approximately 15,000 teenage girls and boys, and more than 3,100 participants took part in the study.

“The anxiety affected my social life”

A., 16, from Ofakim, has been dealing with panic attacks since the events of October 7. He says they have changed his daily life, especially his social interactions.

“I think it affected my social life more than anything,” he says. “There were times when I was with friends and suddenly had a panic attack. It really affected the entire outing because everyone starts worrying about you. That’s where it really showed up — in social situations.”

According to A., the ongoing security situation continues to affect his emotional well-being today. “There are periods of war when there is more stress, more pressure, and more chaos, so obviously my emotional state becomes more turbulent as well. There are calmer periods, when there are fewer triggers.”

A. says he gradually learned how to cope with his anxiety, but emphasizes that many teenagers struggle to find the right tools. “There are many people who try to help, but ultimately they don’t really know how, and sometimes they end up causing more harm.”

Speaking about violence among young people, he says: “If there is one thing I have learned and experienced firsthand, it’s that violence is not the solution. My words give me much more power than my hands. Instead of attacking someone, I can say: ‘Wait, brother, why did you say that to me? Do you know that it hurts me?’”

According to A., his connection with ELEM’s team in Ofakim has been a significant source of support in his journey. “We come in and open up to them about everything — from the smallest things to the hardest things happening in our families. We feel safest with them. They really are like family to us.”

ELEM CEO: “We need to see the child as a whole person”

“In this report, we focused on the causes behind these trends, not only on the concerning rise in the numbers,” says Tali Erez, CEO of ELEM. She explains that the situation is part of a process in which different factors influence one another: “Experiencing violence leads to emotional distress, which leads to difficulties functioning and an inability to consistently participate in an educational setting. These issues are interconnected, they contribute to one another, and ultimately they can lead to a significant escalation.”

Erez also addresses the rise in alcohol and psychoactive substance use: “We are examining what is driving this increase. Are these young people trying to escape reality and their daily lives? Are they teenagers whose homes were impacted by the war?”

She adds: “When a teenager experiences the loss of someone close to them — whether in their immediate or extended circle — the likelihood of developing eating disorders, experiencing anger, or losing trust in systems of support is much higher.”

Erez further explains that today’s youth are exposed to what she calls “multi-front violence” — at home, outside the home, and online. “When a teacher encounters a child who is struggling academically, they cannot look only at grades. They need to ask: Is the child’s sibling or one of their parents serving in the military reserves? Have they experienced a loss? They need to see the child as a whole person.”

According to Erez, this reality is not limited only to communities near conflict zones: “Kiryat Ono is no different from Ofakim, and Ofakim is no different from Kiryat Shmona. Teenagers across the country are facing risks today. The question is: Who sees them? Who catches them when they fall? And what support system is there to surround them?”

ELEM Chair Rabbi Shai Piron said: “The ELEM report reflects a reality that cannot be ignored. As an organization working on the front lines with youth facing risk, we are identifying troubling trends that require a broad, systemic response. ELEM works every day on behalf of vulnerable youth, but targeted interventions alone are not enough.”