HealthInfo Canterbury
Support for people affected by the Christchurch mosque attacks
This page has links to information in other languages.
On 15 March 2019, a terrorist attacked two mosques in Christchurch, tragically killing 51 people and injuring 40 people. This event significantly impacted the Canterbury Muslim community as well as the many responders and people who assisted the bereaved and injured and their whānau (families).
At the time, mental health and wellbeing support was made available to help affected people.
With the coronial inquiry occurring in 2023, people involved in the attack are being asked to revisit the events of the day. They're also being given new information they may have previously been unaware of. This may cause distress. Therefore, free doctor's visits for those affected have been reinstated from 1 April 2023 until the end of 2023.
A new service that supports Muslim counselling has also been made available through general practices.
Where to find support
General practices
You're encouraged to make your general practice your first point of contact to access services. If you don't have a general practice or are new to Canterbury, find out how to enrol in Getting medical help if you are new to Canterbury.
General practice visits related to the mosque attacks will be fully funded (you will not have to pay) until 31 December 2023. Your general practice team will decide if your visit meets the criteria for the funding so ask when you make your appointment.
After-hours
After-hours services available to help you are:
- Pegasus 24-Hour Surgery, 401 Madras St, phone (03) 365-7777. Open 24 hours every day.
- Moorhouse Medical Centre, 3 Pilgrim Place, phone (03) 365-7900. Check the website for its opening hours.
- Riccarton Clinic, 4 Yaldhurst Road, phone (03) 343-3661. Check the website for its opening hours.
Work and Income (WINZ)
If you've been affected by the mosque attacks or need to travel to Christchurch because of it, Work and Income may be able to help – even if you aren't on a benefit. For more information, see Support for whānau affected by 15 March 2019.
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
ACC provides financial support if someone has been injured or died from an injury. This includes mental health support to those who were physically injured.
ACC is working with the police and Te Whatu Ora Waitaha to ensure claims are fast-tracked.
For more information, see Support available to victims of Christchurch terror attack. This page also has factsheets in English, Arabic, Bahasa Malaysia, Bengali, Farsi Persian, Hindi, Indonesian and Urdu.
Resources for parents and caregivers
Psychological and mental health support
If you or someone you know needs mental wellbeing support or advice call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor. This service is free and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Specialist Mental Health Services
Phone your general practice team first.
For general information and advice on the mental health support services available, see Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Specialist Mental Health Service.
If you need urgent or crisis mental health care, call 0800-920-092 (24 hours, seven days a week).
Christchurch Resettlement Service
Individual counselling and support for Muslims affected by the 15 March mosque attacks.
Phone (03) 335-0311 or visit Psychosocial and Mental Health Support for people affected by the 15 March mosque attacks.
Muslim Wellbeing Ōtautahi (provided by Purapura Whetu Trust)
Muslim Wellbeing Ōtautahi is a free, culturally appropriate, multilingual support service for Muslims of all ages and their whānau (families) living in Ōtautahi (Christchurch).
You can request support for yourself. Or a whānau member, health professional or member of the community can refer you. To contact Muslim Wellbeing Ōtautahi, phone 0800-4-WHETU (0800-494-388) or (03) 379-8001 or complete the referral form.
MHERC (Mental Health Education and Resource Centre)
A therapy service for Muslims provides online psychological interventions to individuals impacted by the March 2019 mosque attacks. It aims to take an Islamic perspective on wellbeing.
- This service offers up to six free online therapy sessions with a registered psychologist (therapist).
- For information about this service, see Therapy Service for Muslims.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Ministry of Health – Coping after a traumatic event and Supporting your kids after a traumatic event
Advice about how to cope with a traumatic event and how to support your tamariki (children).
Resources are available in English, te reo Māori, easy read English, New Zealand Sign Language, Arabic, Farsi, Indonesian, Malay, Somali, Turkish and Urdu.
- All Right?
- Supporting kids after scary events
Ways to support your tamariki after scary events.
- Tips for coping with a disaster
What to do and how to support your tamariki and whānau.
- Supporting kids after scary events
- Parenting Place – How to talk to your kids about scary events
Advice about guiding your tamariki through scary experiences and how to talk to them about bad news.
- Netsafe – Responding to a digital incident
What to do to respond to a digital incident.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2023.
SourcesReview key: HISNY-105442
