Abstract

Introduction: Terrorist attacks can cause short and long-term stress-reactions, anxiety, and depression among those exposed. Sometimes, professional mental health aid, meaning all types of professional psychotherapy, would be appropriate, but victims often delay or never access mental health aid, even up to a decade after the initial event. Little is known about the barriers terrorist-victims encounter when they try to access professional mental health aid.Method: Using a qualitative design, 27 people exposed to the 22/03/2016 terrorist attack in Belgium were interviewed using half-structured, in-depth interviews, on their experiences with professional mental health aid. A reflexive thematic analysis was employed.Results: Five main barriers for professional mental health aid seeking by victims were found. First, their perception of a lack of expertise of mental health aid professionals. Second, the lack of incentives to overcome their uncertainty to contact a professional. Third, social barriers: people did not feel supported by their social network, feared stigma, or trusted that the support of their social network would be enough to get them through any difficulties. Fourth, a lack of mental health literacy, which seems to be needed to recognize the mental health issues they are facing. Finally, there are financial barriers. The cost of therapy is often too high to begin or continue therapy.Conclusions: This study showed that the barriers for seeking professional mental health aid are diverse and not easily overcome. More mental health promotion is needed, so that there is a societal awareness of possible consequences of being exposed to terrorist attacks, which might result in less stigma, and a quicker realization of possible harmful stress reactions due to a disaster.

Highlights

  • Terrorist attacks can cause short and long-term stress-reactions, anxiety, and depression among those exposed

  • Professional mental health aid can be necessary, but victims of terrorist attacks often delay or never access mental health aid, even up to a decade after the initial event [3,4,5,6]. This is similar to what has been observed among victims of other forms of trauma, who often delay seeking out professional mental health aid [7]

  • Little is known about the barriers terrorist-victims encounter when they try to access professional mental health aid [9]

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Terrorist attacks can cause short and long-term stress-reactions, anxiety, and depression among those exposed. A wave of terrorist attacks has struck Europe in recent years: Paris, France on 13/11/2015, Brussels, Belgium on 22/03/2016, Manchester, United Kingdom on 22/05/2017 and even just last year on 19/02/2020 in Hanau, Germany and on 29/10/2020 in Nice, France Such terrorist attacks can cause short and longterm stress-reactions, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among those directly exposed [1, 2]. Professional mental health aid (as in professional psychotherapy) can be necessary, but victims of terrorist attacks often delay or never access mental health aid, even up to a decade after the initial event [3,4,5,6] This is similar to what has been observed among victims of other forms of trauma (e.g., interpersonal trauma), who often delay seeking out professional mental health aid [7]. Little is known about the barriers terrorist-victims encounter when they try to access professional mental health aid [9]

Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call