Spike in Depression Among American Jews Tied to Rising Antisemitism, Study Finds

A new study out of the University of California, Davis, reveals a troubling surge in depression and anxiety among American Jewish communities since the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre. The research points to a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents on U.S. soil, not just the trauma of the distant attack, as a key driver of this mental health crisis, as repotred by Jewish Breaking News.

The study, published in the American Psychological Association’s journal *Psychological Trauma*, found a 30% jump in depressive symptoms and a 45% increase in anxiety among Jewish families. Lead researcher Leah C. Hibel told *psych.org* that while the Hamas attack hit hard, it’s the antisemitic experiences right here in the U.S. that are fueling much of the distress. “The psychological toll of October 7 is real, even thousands of miles away, but what stands out is how much local antisemitism is driving these mental health struggles,” Hibel said.

Over 60% of participants reported facing antisemitic incidents, from vandalized synagogues to personal harassment, which the study links directly to worsening mental health. These findings come as the Anti-Defamation League reports a record-breaking 9,354 anti-Jewish hate crimes in 2024, despite Jews making up just 2% of the U.S. population.

Hibel stressed the urgent need for mental health support tailored to Jewish Americans. “We need providers who get the unique cultural and discriminatory challenges Jews face,” she said.