In response to the mass stabbing in our local area of Bondi Junction in April 2024, we reached out to our community members with some comfort and guidance.

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Comparative suffering will come into play for many who will feel the natural urge to rank their “right to feel impacted”. For example, someone who was not physically harmed in any way, but heard gun shots, or the screams of people running to safety, may feel disenfranchised when they compare their experience to someone who received life threatening injuries. Even people who saw footage in the media, heard emotionally charged interviews or are close companions of a bystander or first responder can be vicariously affected, despite not being personally at the scene.

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No two people go through the same thing in the same way.

We each have prior life experiences that will determine the way that we approach a distressing event. For some, it may be their first exposure to danger, for others it may be frighteningly similar to something they’ve experienced before, while others may be accustomed to being in precarious circumstances. There is no right or wrong way to feel when something traumatic happens. Each of us must give ourselves the time and attention we need to figure out what it is happening in our own body and mind, and treat ourselves accordingly, with great compassion and care.

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The chart below shows a couple of different ways that people may recover from a traumatic experience.

Ideally, while the symptoms are at their peak of impact and disruption at the time of the event and shortly after, they will slowly decrease over time as we seek treatment, community care and remain focused on recovery and integration.

It’s very common to have setbacks and not at all surprising to be doing quite well for a while, and then seemingly fall in a heap. At which point, we often refocus our attention on our support systems and coping strategies to get back on track.

It’s also not unheard of to have a delayed onset of symptoms. Sometimes we consciously (or unconsciously) distance ourselves from what happened and appear largely unaffected. This can last for weeks and months or even years. In situations like that though, it’s possible that later on when an additional traumatic event occurs (like a relationship breakdown, loss of a loved one, or financial insecurity), the stored information in the body and mind can entangle with current events to exacerbate the impact felt.

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Self-care is vital in the days, weeks and months after a traumatic event. This is something that we need to deal with both alone and in community with others. There are a wide variety of supportive strategies, and we encourage you to investigate as many as possible.

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The work that we must do, both individually and as a community, to recover from trauma, inevitably leads to greater self awareness, and personal growth.

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Take your time

Be kind to yourself

Help others when you can

We're all on the journey

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