5 minutes
If you’re feeling distressed, shocked, or overwhelmed following the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, you are not alone.
Events involving violence or serious harm can have a profound and immediate impact, not only on those who were directly involved, but also on witnesses, families, first responders, local communities, and people across Australia watching or hearing about what has happened. When something frightening occurs in a familiar public place, it can strongly affect our sense of safety.
Strong emotional reactions in the hours and days after an event like this are normal, understandable, and deserve support. As time passes, it's common for reactions to change. Support isn't only for the immediate aftermath, it's okay to reach out at any point.
If you are feeling unsafe right now, or at risk of harming yourself or someone else, please seek immediate help by calling Triple Zero (000).
Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support anyone who needs someone to talk to. You can learn more about contacting Lifeline here.
Additionally, we're offering in-person support at the Bondi Pavillion until January 30th, 2026, from 10am to 4pm each day.
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In the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event, people often experience intense and shifting reactions. You might notice:
These reactions may come and go or feel overwhelming at times. This does not mean anything is ‘wrong’ with you, it can be your body and mind responding to trauma.
As time goes on, some people notice their reactions change rather than disappear. In the weeks or months after a traumatic event, you might also experience:
These responses are also common after trauma. Healing doesn’t always happen in a straight line — some days may feel easier, while others feel harder again. If these feelings persist, worsen, or start to interfere with your day-to-day life, reaching out for support can help.
Even if you were not at Bondi Beach, you may still be strongly affected.
Seeing or hearing about distressing events through news, social media, or word of mouth can trigger fear, past experiences, or a sense that the world is unsafe. Many people also feel guilt for being upset when others were more directly impacted.
It’s important to know that you do not need to justify your distress. Emotional responses after violent events are valid, regardless of how close you were to what happened.
In the short term, trauma can affect both the mind and body. You may notice:
These responses are common in the acute phase following trauma. While uncomfortable, they are not signs of weakness.
For many people, these responses gradually ease with time and support. If they intensify, don't ease over time, or begin to interfere with your safety or daily functioning, reaching out for professional support can help.
Ongoing exposure to news, videos or social media about the incident can intensify distress. If you can, consider taking breaks from coverage, choosing reliable sources, or setting boundaries around when and how often you check updates. It’s okay to protect your wellbeing.
Children and young people may respond to traumatic events differently to adults.
They may:
Try to keep explanations calm, factual, and age appropriate. Reassure them that they are safe right now and let them know they can ask questions when they need to.
Children and young people may show distress through behaviour rather than words. Keeping routines, offering reassurance, and checking in gently can help them feel safer.
If a child appears very distressed, unsafe, or their behaviour changes significantly, consider seeking additional support from a GP, school counsellor, or mental health professional.
Even though these reactions are normal, they can still feel isolating and overwhelming.
Thoughts like ‘but I wasn’t even there!’ can make you feel like you don’t deserve to be feeling the way you do.
Remember, what has occurred is incredibly traumatic and you do deserve to feel upset by what has happened. You also deserve to feel supported.
It’s important to remember that feeling on edge, short-fused, sad, unable to concentrate, having trouble sleeping, being all-consumed by the news, and/or just generally feeling overwhelmed, are completely normal after such a traumatic event.
When awful things like this happen, it’s important that we’re turning to techniques and strategies that help us pull through and feel better.
Keep in mind:
What occurred at Bondi Beach is a tragedy that has impacted many Australians in many ways.
No matter who you are, what your experience is, or how this has and/or continues to impact you, remember that every single person deserves support.
Lifeline is here and you don’t have to face this alone.
Please seek immediate help if you or someone you care about:
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
You can also contact Lifeline 24/7 on 13 11 14, or via text and online chat, for confidential support.
As the immediate shock passes, some people notice their reactions linger or shift. If you’d like more information about common trauma responses and ways to cope in the weeks and months after a major incident, see our guide on major traumatic events.
Members of the public can contact the Public Information and Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228 for information relating to people impacted by Bondi Beach Attack, or view the NSW Government's support page here.
Please find a number of other support services below:
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