Central Bureau of Statistics: 42% of Israelis are feeling stress and anxiety - 21% are depressed

The Central Bureau of Statistics published a comprehensive survey at noon (Sunday) in which many Israelis were asked about their health, mental and economic status during the period of the second wave of the Corona virus.
Naturally, the concerns that arise around the health crisis are also related to the mental health and economic well-being of Israelis, especially in light of the closure imposed in the first wave, and the fear allows for a closure in the near future.
More than half of Israelis fear that they will not be able to cover their monthly expenses. This is an increase of 9% from the previous survey conducted in May. Among Arab society, 65% of respondents reported fear of not being able to close the month, and among the population aged 65 and over, the figure stands at 39%.
21% of respondents said they or one of their household members reduced the amount of food or the number of meals during the week. 14% of respondents indicated that they are assisted by someone who helps them bring food and medicine.

42% of respondents testified to feelings of stress and anxiety - an 11% increase from the survey conducted in the first wave. 21% of the population reported feeling depressed, compared to 16% in the first wave, while in the feeling of loneliness the rate remained similar - 19% of respondents.

The survey data show that among those aged 65 and over, the results were much gloomier: 24% reported loneliness, 38% reported stress and anxiety and 20% felt depressed.
According to the survey, the health condition of 8.5% - about 478.6 thousand people - aged 21 and over, worsened during the crisis. Soon people aged 65 and over will have a higher rate of 13%. In addition, the mental state of 26% (approximately 1.5 million people) aged 21 and over worsened during the crisis.
In addition, 21% reported feeling depressed accompanying them in the second wave compared to 16% in the previous wave; 19% reported feeling lonely - a figure similar to the previous wave. In addition, 65% of the population expressed concern about contracting the virus - of which 33% were "largely" and 32% "to some extent". 38% expressed concern about harming their health for other reasons.
About half of the population (55%) fear difficulty in covering their expenses: more Arabs - 65%, and fewer people aged 65 and over - 39%. The rate of those who are afraid to cover their expenses is higher than the rate observed in the previous wave (46%).
Also, among 41% of the respondents, the economic situation worsened due to the corona crisis and among 21%, which make up about 1.2 million people, they or one of their household members reduced the amount of food or meals they ate during the past week. This rate (21%) is higher than the rate observed in the previous wave - 14%.
The Israel Police's Corona Guidance Enforcement Operation in Jerusalem
Archive (Photo: Alex Gamburg)
Regarding the guidelines, the survey by the Central Bureau of Statistics shows that for 19% of the public, the guidelines are not so clear or not clear at all. The rate of those who trust the government in dealing with the crisis (47%) is lower than the rate observed in the previous wave (69%). Also, the rate of those who trust the local authority's response (69%) is lower than the rate found in the previous wave (77%).
The government has approved the grant program, which includes a payment of at least NIS 750 per citizen. All the ministers supported except the Minister of Strategic Affairs, Orit Farkash HaCohen, and the Minister of Defense, Michael Bitton, both with a white brush.
"If we do not succeed, the school year will not open," he said. "The purpose of the Grants Law is to encourage and increase consumption in the economy," he said.
The scope of the plan submitted to the government was increased by an additional NIS 500 million from the original plan, to NIS 6.5 billion, after it was decided to double the benefits for the weaker populations that receive benefits from the National Insurance Institute. Thus, the plan is expected to increase the entire budget of the six aid programs since the outbreak of the corona crisis to close to NIS 200 billion.
Minister Orit Farkash HaCohen, who abstained, said she was opposed to adding half a billion shekels to the plan. "We need to stop working patch by patch. We are in a continuous budget, we continue to cross the border of the deficit target without an orderly plan. We need to transfer an orderly budget with a plan that will build growth engines to the economy.
Following the amendments made to the plan, which was initiated by the Prime Minister's economic advisor, Prof. Avi Simhon, the grants will be awarded to civilians earning up to NIS 640,000 per year, according to reports submitted for 2019, according to this key:
A citizen aged 18 and over (who turned 18 to June 30 this year) will receive NIS 750. Parents of children will receive an additional NIS 500 for each child up to the third child (inclusive).
In the case of divorced parents, the parent who receives the child allowance from the National Insurance for them will receive the money for the children and the other parent will receive only NIS 750 for himself.
Those who are entitled to a nursing benefit, a needy disabled benefit, an income support benefit, a monthly payment under the Alimony Law and a new needy immigrant benefit provided by the Ministry of Absorption will receive a double benefit.
Since the National Insurance Institute does not have details on citizens aged 18 and over who do not receive benefits and are not recognized by the National Insurance Institute, anyone who does not receive the grant will have to apply to the National Insurance Institute within a year and demand the grant. It should be noted that the grants will not be considered as income for the purpose of paying tax.
The plan will also be submitted today for approval by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, and on Monday this week for approval by the Knesset, where it is expected to be passed by Wednesday in three readings.
It is estimated that the payment of the grants will begin next week, after the plan is approved in the three readings in the Knesset.