Primary care resources – Bondi incident

Supporting patients experiencing distress

• Acknowledge this will be a time of great distress. Assume trauma response is possible in all patients of all faiths and cultures.
• For Jewish patients intergenerational trauma from antisemitism and further trauma from recent world events is high.
• Ensure safety as part of trauma-informed care: Ensure both physical (lighting, privacy) and emotional safety (clear communication, choice over door open/close).
• Help orientate those overwhelmed. Guide simple breathing or grounding exercises.
• Offer clear, age-appropriate guidance on managing acute stress—sleep routines, limiting social media, television and other trauma reminders.
• Encourage contact with trusted family or friends.
• Link people into appropriate services: Share this list of supports being offered in response to the incident: Mental health and counselling services
• Support for families: Kids helpline and headspace offer supports for children, young people and families: Dealing with trauma and Seeing scary stuff in the news | Kids Helpline
• Assess patients using IAR (Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool) and evaluate risk factors, e.g. proximity to attack, previous trauma, social supports.
• Update your practice website to include resources for patients seeking support

HealthPathways

More information is available on HealthPathways: these pages will be continuously updated as more services and resources become available.

For GPs in Sydney LHD:

• Mental Health Helplines
• Adult Mental Health Support
• Child and Young Adult Mental Health Support
• Bereavement, loss and Grief Counselling

For GPs in South Eastern Sydney LHD:

• Mental Health Helplines
• Adult Counselling and Psychology
• Bereavement, Loss, and Grief Counselling
• Child and Youth Counselling and Psychology

Mental health support for GPs

Importantly, ensure you are looking after your own well-being, you could also be experiencing trauma. Talk with colleagues, use mental health support services, access GP mental health support services.

Psychological Support Services (PSS) end of year referral closure and Bondi Beach incident support

• In response to the Bondi Beach incident, GPs can refer to PSS until 1.00 pm on Wednesday, 24 December 2025. These referrals will be prioritised.
• General PSS referrals will be supported until Friday, 19 December 2025 at 5.00 pm and will reopen on Monday, 5 January 2026 at 9.00 am. Please note: Any referrals sent during the closure period will not be reviewed or actioned until the new year. There is no need to resubmit your referral.
• From 1.00 pm, 24 December to 9.00 am, 5 January, please contact: Medicare Mental Health Line – 1800 595 212
• Support for those affected by the Bondi incident will be prioritised during this time.

CESPHN Mental Health Intake and Triage Service will be contactable on 1300 170 554, until 1.00 pm, 24 December and available again from 5 January.

During CESPHN closure period please refer to the Medicare Mental Health Centre. They will offer access to mental health information, services and support throughout the end of year holiday period (except for public holidays). Call 1800 595 212.

For urgent or crisis assistance at any time, please call NSW mental health Line on 1800 011 511 (24/7), or dial 000 for emergencies.

A Professional Conversation with Dr Rob Gordon

About Dr Rob Gordon

Dr Rob Gordon is a highly respected Clinical Psychologist with more than 40 years of experience in mass casualty events, post disaster trauma, and community recovery. In recognition of his outstanding service to Australia, particularly following the Port Arthur massacre, Dr Gordon was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2021. Dr Gordon is nationally and internationally recognised for his leadership and expertise in disaster response and recovery, having contributed to major events such as Ash Wednesday, Black Saturday, Black Summer, the Bali bombings, Christchurch earthquakes, the Boxing Day tsunami, and many others.

What is this session?

This 45-minute session is designed to raise awareness or refresh understanding among professionals supporting individuals affected by the Bondi Beach terrorist incident. This conversation will explore best practices for working with people in the immediate aftermath of trauma, including principles of psychological first aid, key insights into the early stages of trauma and PTSD, and practical strategies for mitigating exposure and impact.