Hadassah UK has published a major new report, Trauma and Recovery in the Face of October 7th, the first comprehensive UK-based analysis of the psychological impact of the October 7 attacks, the subsequent war, and rising antisemitism on the UK Jewish community. 

The report’s release in late December comes as Jews the world confront similar challenges, including the impact of the Bondi Beach attack on the first night of Chanukah and the countless acts of open hostility and violence towards Jews and Israel occurring in their communities on an almost daily basis.

The UK report was developed in partnership with UK Jewish community organisations, along with Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) in Jerusalem and Hadassah International. Jami – the UK’s leading Jewish mental health organisation and part of Jewish Care – was a key collaborator on the project, providing critical expertise that ensured its success.

The research, led by senior clinicians from Hadassah hospitals, draws on responses from more than 500 participants across the UK Jewish community. Using validated psychological questionnaires, the study identifies clinically significant levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression, alongside key risk and protective factors influencing resilience and recovery.

Key findings reveal that:

• Over one third of respondents met the threshold for probable PTSD
• More than 40% met diagnostic thresholds for anxiety disorders
• Over a quarter met thresholds for depressive disorders

The report highlights the cumulative impact of exposure to the October 7 attacks, ongoing conflict, extensive media coverage, and the sharp rise in antisemitic experiences in the UK. It also identifies social support as a crucial protective factor, while “learned helplessness” emerges as a key risk factor exacerbating psychological distress.

“We are all living with the aftershocks of October 7. Mental health is a significant global issue, and trauma has no borders,” said Dr. Shiri Ben-David, Chief Psychologist at Hadassah hospitals, who authored the report together with Neomi Adler-Maimon, Head of the Hadassah’s Adult Trauma Center. “Hadassah’s mission is not only to heal in Israel, but to share what we’ve learned with communities around the world,” Dr. Ben-David added.

The report builds on Hadassah’s frontline experience treating trauma in Israel, combined with UK-specific data to inform community responses. Notes Philippa Carr, Senior Mental Health Education and Suicide Prevention Manager at Jami, part of Jewish Care: “The Hadassah report on Trauma and Recovery makes a timely contribution to Jami’s psycho-educational and clinical work over the last two years. The findings on anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms give us more information about the mental health impact of October 7 and antisemitism. The use of psychological questionnaires adds to the body of research in this area.”

Rob Taub, Executive Director of Hadassah UK, commented: “This report gives clinical clarity to what many in our community have been experiencing since October 7. By combining Hadassah Medical Organisation’s expertise with UK data, it highlights the profound mental health impact of both the war and rising antisemitism.”

The report emphasises the importance of coordinated community action, early intervention, and sustained investment in mental health services – both in the UK and in Israel – as the psychological effects of October 7 continue to unfold.

With the recent horrific attack on the Jewish community in Sydney, Australia, this work has never been more relevant or necessary. In a continued effort to make a global impact, a similar study is due to be rolled out by Hadassah Australia in 2026, which began with a visit from Dr Ben-David earlier this year. Hadassah is committed to ensuring that the individuals and communities affected around the world, are supported in these deeply challenging times. 

Hadassah UK will be working with communal partners, clinicians and policymakers to ensure the findings inform future mental health provision, education and support programs.

Read the full Trauma and Recovery in the Face of October 7th report. 

See also, coverage of the report’s release in the Jewish Chronicle, UK Jewry’s leading media outlet.