Polar Bear Attack – Svalbard

Mark Bradley was called upon to provide psychological support for the victims of the recent polar bear attack in Norway. He flew out to Oslo at short notice and then made his way to Longyearbyen in the Arctic Circle where he prepared for the majority of the expedition party’s return from the ice flows. A specialist at working independently from remote locations, Mark liaised with concerned staff in the UK, establishing a secure and confidential line of communication in a potentially chaotic environment. Such incidents, whether occurring overseas or nearer to home, require a robust, immediate response to help ensure the psychological health of the individuals involved.

With high press interest, Mark was aware of the need for discretion, and spent 48 hours in Longyearbyen working with local people without ever coming to the attention of the large media presence. Mark escorted the group back to their families and colleagues in the UK, and continues to provide further psychological support.