Statement from the Australia College of Mental Health Nurses
Monday 15 April 2024
Re: Tragic events Westfield shopping centre, Bondi Junction, Sydney, 13th April 2024.
As mental health nurses represented by our peak body the Australia College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) we are shocked and saddened to hear of the distressing and tragic events occurring at Westfield shopping centre in Bondi Junction. We express our deepest condolences to those mourning the loss of a loved one.
Our hearts go out to the many people who have experienced physical and emotional trauma related to this event. We are grateful to the many courageous first responders and citizens who acted to intervene and to protect those around them.
President of ACMHN, Professor Rhonda Wilson commented, “As mental health nurses, we work with people who have experienced trauma every day. We acknowledge the traumatic responses including disbelief, panic, fear, uncertainty, and distress. This terrifying and unanticipated event will have disrupted many lives profoundly. The days and weeks ahead may be a confusing time for many people as they process the information and come to terms with all that has taken place.”
She went on to say, “Our thoughts are also with the 25,000 mental health nurses throughout Australia, working in public, private and primary care settings. Some of whom will be caring for distressed people related to this event in the hours, days, weeks, and months ahead. Mental health nurses are ready and skilled to support the community with expert mental health nursing care, compassion, gentleness, listening, navigating, and counselling.”
Mental health conditions affect 20 percent of our population, and half of all Australians will encounter a mental health condition in their life. The prevalence of mental health conditions and distress has increased since COVID-19 and is worsening further with rising costs of living in recent times.
ACMHN would also like to remind media that speculation about the mental health status of the perpetrator is unhelpful and can be harmful. Check out Mindframe or SANE Stigmawatch for guidance.
We commend the excellent work of SANE and other organisations to better understand mental health and we echo our support for the heroic deeds and excellent work of the public, first responders such as our police, and medical teams in Bondi and those working in our hospitals.
For crisis support, please contact:
13YARN (24hrs) on 13 9276 to connect with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis support.
Beyond Blue (24hrs) 1300 22 4636
Head to Health (24hrs) 1800 595 212
Lifeline (24hrs) on 13 11 14
For further comment, please contact ACMHN Media, on: (02) 6285 1078 or email [email protected].
TAGS Australian College of Mental Health Nurses press release, mental health nursing