Lay summary
Emergency responders (ERs) who deal with traumatic events such as terrorist attacks often experience high levels of stress, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The March 15 mosque terrorist attacks in 2019 had long-term psychological consequences for those involved. A coronial inquest was conducted in late 2023 to examine the response with the aim to enhance emergency preparedness. However, it is likely that some ERs may have felt retraumatised during the confrontational court sessions. This feasibility study is exploratory to understand the potential magnitude of the problem and how acceptable this study would be for ERs. The longer-term aim of this study is to identify the feasibility for conducting a full-length study on the mental health and wellbeing of the March 15 emergency responders, and connect them to appropriate supports or therapeutic services, as appropriate.