A Community Based Mental Health Response to a Multiple Shooting

Abstract

It has become common practice to develop community based mental health interventions following disasters of various kinds. This paper reports on the mental health response to a multiple fatal shooting mat occurred in a city office block in Melbourne, Australia. Emphasis is placed on the adaptation of general principles to the specific needs of the disaster affected community. A rationale for the approach is presented, and the importance of community participation in design and implementation of the program is discussed. The paper describes the major strategies utilised and provides evaluative comment on the program. 1991 Australian Psychological Society