Hearing about terrorist attacks can leave some people needing psychiatric help, say doctors
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It is normal to feel upset by events in the news but long-term feelings may require medical intervention
The UK’s Royal College of Psychiatrists has released a statement following the recent terrorist attack in London, urging members of the public to seek help if they still have feelings of distress and fearsome months after upsetting events have taken place.
Professor Neil Greenberg explains that even those who were not victims of terrorist attacks can still suffer in the aftermath:
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“What happened in London Bridge is appalling. Sadness and fear are normal, understandable reactions. Whilst many people will experience short-term distress, most will recover without needing to consult with a healthcare professional and will not suffer any long-term trauma-related health problems. Immediate counselling after an incident can be harmful. However, if after few months, things are not settling then getting a professional assessment is a good plan. For now, we should trust in our resilience – we are stronger than we think.
“Children will inevitably learn about the incident through news and social media so it is best to be open with them. As with so many things the best support comes from friends, colleagues and family to help those affected to get back to their everyday lives.”
The BBC’s Newsround website has issued advice for children who feel upset by the events in the news, such as the attack on 3rd June. It urges them to speak to an adult they trust, try to do things that make them happy and to remember that incidents like this are very rare. For more information and a helpful video, children can watch, visit the website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/13865002
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