Supporting Population Mental Health in the Wake of Mass Tragedies.

Abstract

The Bondi Beach terrorist attack has caused widespread community distress resulting in complex psychosocial challenges that require urgent attention to protect population mental health. Acute reactions including shock, fear and anger are normative, while the psychological responses unfolding over time may vary from adaptive to dysfunctional. A range of mental health and psychosocial services have been mobilised to address acute needs; however, to ensure a sustained and coherent framework of care, interventions should be guided by a set of principles that accurately respond to the unique nature of the event. We provide an overview of the Adaptation and Development After Persecution and Trauma (ADAPT) model as an overarching framework that can guide psychosocial interventions and promote adaptive coping, recovery and resilience.