Norway’s 2011 Terror Attacks: Alleviating National Trauma With a Large-Scale Proactive Intervention Model

After the terror attacks of July 22, 2011, Norwegian health authorities piloted a new model for municipality-based psychosocial follow-up with victims. This column describes the development of a comprehensive follow-up intervention by health authorities and others that has been implemented at the municipality level across Norway. The model’s principles emphasize proactivity by service providers; individually tailored help, with each victim being assigned a contact person in the residential municipality; continuity and long-term focus; effective intersectorial collaboration; and standardized screening of symptoms during the first year. Weekend reunions were also organized for the bereaved, and one-day reunions were organized for the survivors and their families at intervals over the first 18 months. Preliminary findings indicate a high level of success in model implementation. However, the overall effect of the interventions will be a subject for future evaluations.