Mental health support has been stepped up for anyone impacted by the tragic incident at Bondi on Sunday 14 December.
NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said that NSW Health has initiated a mental health disaster response in the wake of the incident in Bondi, providing mobile mental health clinicians in the local community.
“As we move past the immediate aftermath of this devastating event, I want to encourage anyone who is feeling distressed, anxious, or angry, to please seek support.
“We have stepped up support with more resources for our existing mental health care services, to ensure help is freely available to anyone who wants it.”
Trained mental health clinicians are now working on the ground in Bondi and Coogee.
These mobile clinicians are there from 8am to 8pm wearing hi-vis NSW Health vests to be easily identified by the local community. They will continue to be visible in the Bondi Beach area over the coming days and weeks.
Anyone who is feeling distress is urged to seek support from mental health clinicians, who can also provide referral to further appropriate services, if required.
The NSW Government has also been working with Jewish House to provide culturally appropriate services, and with its partners in the NGO and community mental health sectors to ensure anyone who needs support receives it.
This includes disaster welfare officers, disaster chaplains and Red Cross staff at Coogee who are well-versed in psychological first aid.
NSW Health has boosted existing resources in the local area to ensure the right care is available to those who need it. Members of the Bondi community can access mental health care through:
- Safe Haven at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick is operating extended hours from Monday 15 December to Friday 19 December from 10am to 7.30pm.
- Headspace Bondi Junction at 20 Bronte Road, Bondi Junction from 9am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm Friday.
- NSW Health public hospitals remain available for 24/7 mental health support, including Prince of Wales Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital and Sydney Children’s Hospital.
The effects of this tragedy are being felt far and wide and the NSW Government strongly encourages anyone who needs help to reach out for it.
NSW Health has increased staff coverage on NSW Health’s dedicated Mental Health Line, to improve the support available 24/7 on 1800 011 511.
The Transcultural Mental Health Line (1800 648 911) is available for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
If you, or someone in your care, needs crisis support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Children and young people can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au
Further information on support services for children and adolescents can be found on the NSW Health website.
For non-crisis support, please talk to your GP or other trusted health or mental health professional. You can also call Beyond Blue for mental health advice and support on 1300 22 4636.
NSW Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson, said, “What happened in Bondi has shaken so many people right across Sydney and New South Wales.
“Whether you were there, know someone who was, or you’re feeling distressed by what you’ve seen online and in the news, it’s ok to not be ok,” Jackson said.
“We are making free support available to anyone who needs it through our dedicated team of mental health clinicians in Bondi and Coogee, and boosting resources for existing services like headspace, Safe Haven, NSW Health’s Mental Health Line, or Lifeline.”
NSW Health Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Murray Wright, said, “I extend my deepest sympathies to the families, friends and loved ones of those who died and were injured at Bondi Beach.
“It is really important people be mindful about taking care of their mental health over the coming days and weeks following this traumatic event,” Dr Wright said.
“Everyone deals with serious trauma differently and processes in their own way. A range of feelings are a normal part of processing a trauma, so don’t be afraid to talk about what you’re going through.
“We strongly encourage anyone who needs help to please reach out for it. We have mental health clinicians in the Bondi community ready to help and a range of mental health supports available if you call NSW Health’s 24/7 dedicated Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.”
