Exciting news here this morning. My first academic publication, 'Direct and Indirect Psychological Impacts of Shark Bite Events' is now live in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. You can read the article at doi.org/10.1177/0004867418808899.
The study surveyed members of a shark-related peer-support group and found that almost one-third of respondents developed PTSD symptoms post-event and that those with a negative media experience were almost twelve times more likely to develop PTSD symptoms.
Importantly, PTSD symptoms were experienced by witnesses, first responders, and family/friends, as well as direct survivors. In addition, those without a partner or having two or fewer friends to rely on were also more likely to develop PTSD symptoms.
You can read more about Bite Club and Beyond the Bite at www.beyondthebite.org and please remember the following support services available to you:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
- BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au
- MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 www.mensline.org.au
- Women’s Information Service (WA) 1800 199 174 www.communities.wa.gov.au
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