The Australian Psychological Society (APS) and its members, extend their deepest condolences to the victims and all people affected by the shocking and tragic events that occurred in Bondi Beach, Sydney yesterday.
The APS condemns this abhorrent attack on innocent people as they attended an event to mark the first day of Hanukkah. Hate has no place in our society and we look to the Government working with community and professional groups to address this distressing issue and create safety in our communities.
We also have the greatest respect for the members of the community and first responders who so bravely put their own lives at risk to save and care for others.
This event may have a profound and lifelong impact on all people involved, including victims, first responders, witnesses, members of the community and members of the media reporting on the tragedy.
It is likely that feelings such as immense grief, shock, horror and fear will be widespread in the community, and across the country as the event is broadcast via media channels and discussed in official, social and informal ways. These feelings are normal to experience, and it can take a few days, weeks or even months to recover from a traumatic event.
Many of the brave people who helped at the scene or witnessed the incident will be in a state of shock which is likely to continue for some time.
It is crucial to prioritise psychological support and resources for those affected to navigate through the coming days, weeks and years.
Speaking with a trained mental health professional can help people make sense of difficult emotions and reduce the longer-term effects of trauma. If distressing symptoms like flashbacks, intense anxiety, sleep issues or withdrawal persist for over a month, are disrupting daily life, and/or are leading to substance use or thoughts of self harm, then seeking psychological support is strongly advised.
Psychologists across Australia stand ready to support individuals, families and communities as they process what has occured.
The APS Disaster Response Network has been activated and is working closely with local organisations to coordinate support for frontline and community-facing workers and volunteers impacted by this event. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the DRN members who have already reached out offering their support.
The APS recommends the following immediate strategies for people impacted by this tragic event:
- Understand and accept differences in how people process difficult events: some people will want to talk about it, while others prefer to process their feelings internally.
- Seek support: Reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional for emotional support and guidance.
- Practise self-care: Engage in activities that promote relaxation and wellbeing, such as exercise, mindfulness, and spending time in nature.
- Express emotions: Allow yourself to express and process your emotions and make space for and normalise all emotions including shock, grief, fear and sadness.
- Establish routines: Establishing daily routines can provide a sense of stability and control in the aftermath of trauma.
- Limit exposure to media: Avoid or limit exposure to media, especially social media, that may exacerbate distressing symptoms.
- Practise grounding techniques: Grounding techniques, such as deep breathing or focusing on sensory experiences, can help manage distressing symptoms and promote a sense of safety.
- Seek professional help: If symptoms persist or interfere with your daily functioning, consider seeking professional, evidence-based help from a psychologist experienced in treating trauma. Our Find a psychologist service can help.
The APS has the following advice for parents and carers speaking with, or caring for children, who witnessed the event or have heard about it from others or in the media:
- Respond to children's concerns with curiosity, empathy and a calm tone - your tone and body language help an anxious child settle and feel reassured.
- Children who have been exposed to a traumatic event may behave in a regressed way for a period of time. For example, a child may start acting as if they were a year or two younger, using baby talk, having toileting accidents, or wanting more cuddles and nurturing than usual.
- This is normal, and responding to their needs will resolve the regression more quickly than insisting they behave in 'age-appropriate' ways.
- Talk about the event - Encourage (but don’t force) children to talk about their thoughts and feelings about the events. Let them know that talking about it can be a good thing.
- Provide children with opportunities to express their feelings - help children and young people to put words to feelings.
- They may talk about it in their own time or after a few days rather than the first time you have a conversation, so try to be open to this.
- Sometimes children can better express their feelings through play than through words, so make time to play with them.
- Let them know that crying is fine when they need to.
- Monitor and limit media exposure - Children can become distressed and fearful after watching repeated images of frightening events on the TV or social media so restrict their exposure to traumatic material
- Engage in age-appropriate honest discussions - By their very nature, tragedies are especially difficult to explain, and it can be very challenging to understand ‘unthinkable’ events. It is normal for children (and adults) to seek an explanation of why a tragedy occurred, so be prepared for ‘why’ questions. By understanding, we are often trying to reassure ourselves that a similar event could be prevented in the future.
If you or someone you know needs immediate support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. In an emergency, call 000.