A spotlight on research and support for trauma

If information on this page raises any issues for you or if you need immediate assistance, please contact a crisis service.

While traumatic experiences are common and most people will experience at least one during their lives, it is important to note that most will recover through the help of family and friends.

However, for those needing extra support, there are a range of effective treatments and helpful resources available.

Often the trauma generated by suicide within a community can have an adverse impact on the mental health and wellbeing, relationships, work, and study of others in the community.

Everymind Suicide Prevention Project Lead, Simon Pont highlighted the importance of increasing understanding around the impact of trauma in suicide prevention and the support available.

“It is imperative that the suicide prevention sector supports the community in responding to and communicating about suicide and its impacts,” Mr Pont said.

We need to ensure we avoid re-traumatising communities impacted by suicide by empowering communities in their decision making.

“We can do this by building their strengths, creating safety and collaborating in our service delivery.”

Phoenix Australia is a not-for-profit organisation, which supports people to understand, prevent and recover from the adverse mental health effects of trauma.

Through research, policy and service development, and training in post traumatic mental health, Phoenix Australia uses the latest research to drive efforts to improve wellbeing and build stronger communities.

As part of this broader work, Phoenix Australia produced an animated video to explain in simple terms how a traumatic experience affects people including what to expect and when to seek help.

Designed to serve as a quick educational resource for those who work with people who have been impacted by trauma, the video highlights that trauma is common, that most people recover quickly, but if help is needed, then effective supports are available.

You can view the Understanding Trauma video from Phoenix Australia, here: www.phoenixaustralia.org/recovery/

The Phoenix Australia website also has downloadable fact sheets and other resources, videos and stories of people who have lived through a traumatic experience available here: www.phoenixaustralia.org/recovery/.