Commemoration of the November 13, 2015, attacks: the efforts of Santé publique France
One year after the attacks of November 13, 2015, which plunged France into mourning and left 130 people dead and hundreds injured, Santé publique France continues its work to assess the impact and psychological consequences of these events.
The impact on physical health and the consequences for the mental health of those affected by terrorist attacks (victims, bereaved family members, first responders, and witnesses) are difficult to assess. The risk of developing psychological trauma (post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety) is significant.
After tragic events, how can one try to return to a normal life? How can one cope with the consequences of a traumatic event? What problems and symptoms might a victim of an attack develop? Where can one find help?... Santé publique France has published a special report on terrorist acts that provides many answers. This report also covers Santé publique France’s response following the attacks and compiles the various studies conducted by the agency.
The ESPA-November 13 Survey
The ESPA November 13 survey (post-attack public health survey), launched last July via an online questionnaire, is being conducted in close collaboration with mental health professionals and institutional and nonprofit staff who responded to the attacks. As of early November, more than 1,200 people had participated in the study, including over 500 civilians and more than 750 responders. The information gathered at the conclusion of the survey will help public authorities support affected populations and improve future response strategies for exceptional situations. The survey ends on November 10, 2016. Preliminary results are expected to be released during the first half of 2017.
Learn more about the ESPA survey November 13
In addition, the I.M.P.A.C.T.S. study, launched following the January 2015 attacks—whose preliminary results were released last June—revealed that six months after the attacks, nearly 4 in 10 people still exhibited at least one mental health disorder. The final results of this survey are expected to be published in early 2017. A second wave of the study was conducted with the same population, who were contacted again for a second interview. This second survey is coordinated by Inserm as part of a partnership with Santé publique France. The results are expected to be released in 2018.
Learn more about the I.M.P.A.C.T.S. study
The Role of Santé publique France in Response to Terrorist Attacks
Santé publique France brings together expertise to better understand and effectively protect public health. It pursues this objective in the short term through rapid analysis of the use of emergency care (hospital emergency rooms and SOS Médecins), particularly following an event such as the terrorist attacks, but also in the longer term by contributing to or leading studies, such as the I.M.P.A.C.T.S study following January 2015, or the ESPA November 13 survey. Santé publique France also possesses response capabilities (health products/equipment, mobilization of medical reservists) that support public authorities.
13-November Transdisciplinary Research Program: Understanding and Preserving the Memory of the Attacks
13-November is a transdisciplinary research program that will run for 12 years. Its objective is to study the construction and evolution of individual and collective memory following the attacks of November 13, 2015.
Learn more about the program
