Corona patient's suicide attempt in Fourier Hospital raised a red flag • Concern is mainly for patients in home isolation • "At increased risk of emotional distress"

Following a suicide attempt by an isolated Corona patient at Fourier Hospital in Tiberias last week, the Ministry of Health publishes a directive to the health funds - to monitor the mental health of Corona patients hospitalized daily.

According to the guidance, the medical and nursing staff who are in daily contact with patients who are in isolation should ask them daily: "Are you worried or feeling distressed by your condition?"

If the isolates report that they are in distress, they should refer them to the HMO professionals or refer them to aid centers that provide emotional support such as Eran, Sahar, Dementia Assistance Association (ODA) and other associations.

The new restrictions under government directive // ​​Editing and Animation: Gilad Distelman

"Patients staying in isolation are at increased risk of emotional distress and even suicidal risk," writes Dr. Tal Bergman Levy, Director of the Mental Health Division of the Ministry of Health.

Tomorrow (Monday) the "Corona Commission" will discuss in the Knesset the consequences of the mental health crisis. Dr. Zvi Fishel, chairman of the Psychiatric Association of the Medical Federation, estimated that the corona would cause about 1 million casualties "The way the government agencies mediate the corona crisis to the public intensifies the anxiety and difficulty and endangers his mental health.

This can be done responsibly and preventing a national trauma that could hurt a million citizens and the cost of its treatment will be over NIS 3 billion. If our leaders see the citizen and his anxiety today, we will save billions in the treatment and anxiety disorder that develops. "

The "Civil Cabinet" position paper, which brings together experts, students and public insights to be presented in the Knesset, estimated that about 10% of citizens, who are about a million people, will need relief due to decline, depression or post-trauma.

"The Ministry of Health needs to be prepared to deal with a significant increase in the demand for psychiatric treatment even during the ongoing crisis. Approximately 6% of the public will require treatment for PTSD (post-traumatic) symptoms, which cost the state approximately NIS 5,100.

An additional 4% will be required to treat anxiety symptoms, treatment that cost the country approximately NIS 1,400. The damage to the psyche of about a million also has implications for the Israeli economy and the labor market, "the civil cabinet says.