Mental health response to Bondi mass shooting: when the sirens stop, the trauma continues

In the day after the Bondi mass shooting, thousands of people reached out for help. Lifeline recorded its busiest day of 2025, receiving more than 4,300 calls for support and seeing a 150% surge in website visits. Beyond Blue and Kids Helpline also reported increased demand from people across the country.

ASoP CEO Dr Pramudie Gunaratne said these numbers speak to how deeply such tragedies can touch individuals and communities – emotional shockwaves would extend well beyond the scene of the shooting..

"Events like this don't just end when the sirens stop. They echo through communities for months and sometimes years. And you don't have to have been physically present to be psychologically affected."

Dr Gunaratne also cautioned that constant exposure to distressing footage on social media can intensify emotional harm. She encouraged people to take breaks from graphic content and prioritise their wellbeing.

The rise in crisis calls is a reminder that the emotional impact of mass violence often unfolds over time. Compassionate, trauma-informed mental health support is needed, not only in the immediate aftermath but in the months ahead as people continue to process grief, fear and shock.

Support is available:

Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

For all our medical colleagues who have been on the front line of this response, the Doctors' Health NSW Line is also available (doctorshealth.org.au).

Full article: here