Attack in Nice

The Nice attack on July 14, 2016 resulted in the death of 86 people of 19 different nationalities and left nearly 500 injured. That evening, nearly 30,000 people had come to watch the fireworks in the second most touristy city in France. This attack was also the first in France that impacted so many children as it targeted families and friendly groups who came to enjoy the show.

Six years after the event, the trial begins in Paris on September 5, 2022. It is expected to last nearly four months. The first objective of a trial is always judicial. It is an important step for those involved, and it also allows each individual story to be given its due importance. However, the trial can also reactivate painful memories. Solutions exist to take care of your mental health and that of your loved ones.

What are the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder?

Adults involved in the Nice attack

The time of trial can be difficult because it can rekindle or reawaken the traumatic experience. Taking care of oneself is particularly important. It is necessary to protect oneself from overexposure, especially in the media: we do not have to see and watch everything.

It is also important not to bury one's feelings but, on the contrary, to talk about them and not to isolate oneself. It is not possible to erase the trauma, but it is possible to give it meaning and to resume a life, different of course, but worth living.

Recommendations for direct and indirect victims and bereaved relatives Recommendations for direct and indirect victims and bereaved relatives Finding your way around the trial: Montjoye Association

Interview with Professor Michel Benoit

Psychiatrist at the Nice University Hospital, responsible for the PACA-Corsica regional center for psychotrauma.

Podcast

Children and teenagers involved in the Nice attack

Children and adolescents need to recognize themselves as victims, to put words to what they have experienced.Some bereaved children and adolescents also hope that the trial will tell their story and provide them with answers. They may be looking for meaning in the event that fractured their lives. The trial will not be able to answer this aspiration. On the other hand, if the child is ready and wishes to do so, it is an opportunity to revisit the family history, provided that the adults around him or her feel capable of doing so. Each family has its own history and its own capacity to deal with it at this particular time. One should not hesitate to ask the family to accompany them if necessary.

During the trial, it is important to be attentive to your child's needs and to protect him or her if necessary:

Recommendations for family members and caregivers of child victims Recommendations for relatives and caregivers of child victims

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Interview with Professor Florence Askenazy - children

Child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University Pediatric Hospital at the Lenval Foundation.

Podcast

Interview with Lise Eilin Stene - teenagers

Doctor of Medicine and researcher at the Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies.

Podcast

Relatives and companions

The particularity of the Nice attack is that it affected family and friends who were present together on the Promenade des Anglais. Those who were not present with their loved ones may feel guilt, shame and helplessness in the face of their suffering. Yet their support is essential to create a safe and caring space where their loved ones can express their feelings and reflect on their experiences.

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Professionals

The traumatic consequences of an attack can have a ripple effect on several levels. Some professionals (firefighters, caregivers, police, public actors, etc.) who responded to the attack may suffer from psychotraumatic after-effects that need to be addressed. Other professionals may also encounter people who show signs of PTSD and take on the role of a caring sentinel.

Recommendations for general practitioners: identifying, supporting and referring patients with PTSD

Interview with Naïma

Member of the community of people suffering from psychotrauma, who works at the Regional Health Agency in Marseille and was mobilized during the attack in Nice. We apologize for the poor sound quality, this interview was conducted in a hotel.

Podcast

Cultural resources

After the storm, Hélène Romero and Adélie Day, Editions courtes et longues, 2016

Discover all the cultural recommendations on the theme "Wars".

Cultural resources