7/7 20 Years On – Survivors share stories and raise alarm about failures in mental health support, and the need to fix a broken system.
A new report from Survivors Against Terror ‘7/7- In Their Words’ sees survivors and bereaved loved ones speak, uninterrupted, about their experiences on the day and in the 20 years since four bombs were detonated on London’s transport system, killing 52 and injuring hundreds more.
In this collection, survivors and loved ones describe panic attacks that lasted for years, the loneliness of being told to “get on with it,” and the silence that often followed early offers of help. They speak of the deep need to make sense of what happened, to be acknowledged, to find meaning, and to heal.
The voices in the report tell a painful but vital story. They each experienced different forms of support, gaps, and barriers. But one thread runs through every account – the lack of consistent support when people needed it most.
Top of that list is the failed mental health response- a response that has been inconsistent, under-resourced, and often re-traumatising.It doesn’t have to be this way. On the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 attacks Survivors Against Terror is campaigning to fix this broken system. Drawing on the experience of survivors themselves, we’ve set out a clear Mental Health Policy that demands:
• Immediate psychological triage and support for all
• Long-term, trauma-informed care, not just a few weeks of generic therapy.
• A dedicated point of contact to help survivors navigate services, entitlements and paperwork—especially when grief and trauma make those tasks overwhelming.
• Proper funding and national standards so that support is not based on postcode or persistence.
Beyond mental health, media intrusion and dehumanising compensation systems come up time and again. On media intrusion SAT will shortly publish new guidelines for media organisations which we hope media organisations will use to help reduce the harm that has been inflicted.
On compensation – a much needed review into the broken CICA system seems to have been shelved by the government. We are trying to understand why and what happens next but the status quo cannot be an option.
Report author Jo Berry CBE, whose own father was killed in an earlier terror attack – said,
“Survivors shouldn’t have had to campaign for the care they deserved from the start. But they do. And now, they are using their stories not just to heal but to drive systemic change so that the next time tragedy strikes, the response is one of compassion, structure, and care.
“For survivors and bereaved families we have to aim higher than mere survival – for recovery, dignity, and a better path forward for every person affected by terrorism.
“Our country should approach these issues with the urgency and tenderness they deserve – let’s ensure that no future survivor is left without the care, dignity, and recognition they deserve.”
