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The negative mental health consequences of intimate partner violence have been well documented in recent years. One aim of the present study was to examine psychological distress and mental problems in assaulted women who have left their relationships. Another aim was to explore these women's sense of coherence (SOC). A combination of qualitative in-depth interviews and quantitative measurement instruments was used. Data were collected from 14 assaulted women with a mean age of 38, living in different places in Sweden. Impact of event scale-revised and symptom checklist-90-R show that the violence creates long-term psychological stress reactions and confirm previous research on the subject. Twelve of the 14 women have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The result of the interviews confirmed complex PTSD and disorders of extreme stress not otherwise specified. On the other hand we found a surprisingly high SOC level among several of the respondents, a fact which could explain why these women finally managed to leave mainly by their own efforts. We call for more both qualitative and quantitative studies on this serious public health issue.

The Bali bombing in 2002 initiated a new phase of trauma response for public health services in Australia, and the Royal Darwin Hospital in particular. The mental health response to the initial disaster was limited to a debriefing of Royal Darwin Hospital staff some time after the disaster. Following this initial episode, a number of important developments occurred within the Royal Darwin Hospital and nationally to further develop mental health resources. A mental health consultation liaison nursing position was established within the hospital. The Director of Mental Health for the Northern Territory, along with the Director of Psychiatry, was involved with an evolving national mental health response to mass trauma through the National Planning Group of Mental Health Response to Trauma. The improved recognition of mental health in disaster response, along with increased recognition and confidence in the consultation liaison nursing staff, considerably improved the mental health services available to patients and Royal Darwin Hospital staff following the second Bali blast in October 2005.