Stepfather of Martyn Hett 'shocked' by lack of timely mental health support for those affected by terror attacks
21.05.2022 - 13:13
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The stepfather of Martyn Hett has said he was 'shocked' by the lack of timely mental health support after the Manchester Arena bombing. Dr Stuart Murray claimed people caught up in such atrocities aren't getting the help they need soon enough.
As part of the Survivors Against Terror group, he is calling on people to be assessed within three weeks, and then begin receiving treatment within six. He said those dealing with being caught up in a terror attack should receive prioritised support and not be subjected to a 'postcode lottery'.
Dr Murray, a GP, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: "Our early experience was – there was a moment in the car when I was shouting and screaming and saying ‘how ridiculous this is that I’m having to pay privately to get the help for family members’. There was a guilt feeling that I was saying that, because they just needed the help, but thinking about how other people might be managing, and feeling embarrassed as a working GP, that this is the reality of the situation."
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Martyn, 29, was one of 22 innocent people murdered in the atrocity on May 22, 2017. He worked as a social media manager and was well known as being a huge Coronation Street fan.
His mother Figen Murray has campaigned tirelessly in support of Martyn's Law, which would mean venues having a legal duty to devise and provide specific security plans for a terror attack. Her proposal received a boost earlier this month as it was included in the Queen's Speech. Dr Murray, an NHS doctor of 30 years, said there is a long way to go to offer mental health support to those affected.
He added: "I think we were quite shocked that