This book offers a comprehensive exploration of terrorism and mental health research, and it sets itself apart by its public health focus, rather than solely a psychological one. It sheds light on the effects of terrorism not only on survivors, victims' relatives, and rescue workers, but also on society as a whole. In addition to providing an overview of the main findings on the mental health impact, and critiquing and pointing out gaps in research, insight is provided into how survivors and victims of terrorism seek and receive mental health support in the aftermath of terrorism. The book also points to areas where policy makers can improve the care provided to victims, as well as how to prepare for the delivery of psychosocial aid in case of future terrorist attacks.

Terrorist attacks have been associated with mental health problems among those exposed to them. As the threat of terrorism takes on new forms, it is important to look back at what we know, and how we can better prepare the support for those exposed to terrorist attacks. The book addresses questions such as:

• Who experiences mental health issues following acts of terrorism?
• What mental health issues do people experience?
• What obstacles prevent them from accessing the support they need?
• How can policymakers enhance mental health services for survivors of terrorism?

By providing an in-depth and nuanced overview of terrorism and mental health, Terrorism, Mental Health and Aftercare: A Public Health Perspective is an essential resource for a variety of readers and disciplines. Researchers will appreciate the mental health research coverage while policy makers will appreciate the information on aftercare and the preparation of psychosocial aid. Students as well as victim organizations and European organizations on terrorism will find the book a useful reference for their studies and work.

Roel Van Overmeire, PhD is a post-doctoral researcher at the Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group (MENT) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium. His work has focused on mental health and terrorism, and he has published extensively on the mental health of survivors, the structural issues of the psychosocial response after terrorism, and theoretical discussions of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Beyond his research on terrorism, Roel Van Overmeire has explored diverse topics, such as mental health in patients with Parkinson’s disease, psoriasis, and fibromyalgia; post-traumatic stress prevention after sexual assault; post-traumatic stress research during the pandemic; and the mental health effects of COVID-19 on funeral directors. He is a member of the Belgian Public Health Organization and the European Centre of Expertise for Victims of Terrorism, and has been a visiting researcher at the Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies. His work has been presented at numerous conferences and has received coverage across Belgian media outlets.