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Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

DaisydreamerSenior Contributor16 Feb 2021, 1:01 pm AEDT

Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

Hi there wonderful friends, families and carers 💜

This month we are excited to welcome the President of the Blue Knot Foundation, Cathy Kezelman, as our special guest for Topic Tuesday Live Chat Event on the topic of Trauma. Blue Knot are national leaders in supporting and empowering people who are recovering and healing after complex trauma.

Topic Tuesday will look a bit different this month as we are hosting two discussions back-to-back on the forums with the Blue Knot Foundation.

How will it work?

🔹 From 7:00-8:00pm AEDT, we will start the discussion here in the Friends, Family and Carers forum talking on the topic of Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones.

🔹 From 8:00-9:00pm AEDT the conversation will continue in the Lived Experience Forum talking about Trauma and Recovery (use this link to join the discussion!).

Understanding Trauma

On the SANE forums, there are many stories about the impact of trauma on survivors, friends and families. This discussion will focus on the experience of being a friend, family member or carer for those experiencing trauma. We will cover topics such as understanding what trauma is, how it impacts survivors, and what each of us can do to support those around us (and ourselves!).

Earlier this month we put out a call for questions on the topic of trauma contributing to the planning of this event. We want to extend a huge thank you to the many members who posted questions for this live event- we have done our best to combine key themes and questions! 💙

Please join us here on Tuesday the 23rd of February 2021 from 7:00pm-8:00pm AEDT to follow this conversation.

Want to receive a reminder on the night? Hit the 'Support' button below.

___________________________________________________________________

I'm new here - what is this?

The event runs from 7:00 - 8.00pm AEDT on the 23rd of February, and then continues in the Lived Experience Forum from 8:00 - 9:00pm AEDT. Each month we focus on a different topic with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator, and joined by a Peer Support Worker.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

How do I get involved?

Our text-based event takes place right here! As it is text-based, no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the newest comments (it doesn't automatically update). Keep an eye out for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page, and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post. We recommend using a desktop computer or laptop for the event for overall ease of use .

Throughout the session, the facilitator will post questions for the guest to answer, and you can provide your answer too. Usually the questions will ask for your own experience on the topic. To contribute to the event, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong, and everyone is welcome to get involved!

What time does this event start in my timezone?

AEDT - 7:00pm
AEST - 6:00pm
ACDT - 6:30pm
ACST - 5:30pm
WST - 4:00pm

If you have any questions about how to use the Forums, check out our Guides.

Topic Tuesday discussions can cover some heavy topics. If you are feeling distress during this live discussion, there are support options available to you. You can start a new discussion on the forums and talk to other members, contact the SANE Help Centre on 1800 18 7263, or find crisis support options here.

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

DaisydreamerSenior Contributor23 Feb 2021, 7:15 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

It is a good question @Bunniekins. We will be talking more about trauma in families very soon which might be helpful 🙂 @Shaz51 and @Former-Member

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

BunniekinsSenior Contributor23 Feb 2021, 7:15 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

@Daisydreamer even reading the word trauma makes me feel physically sick. It makes me physically and mentally ill.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

BPDSurvivorSenior Contributor23 Feb 2021, 7:16 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

Hi @Cathyblueknot ,

In terms of the definition of trauma, as a therapist/carer, if they can see someone has gone through trauma, but the 'victim' doesn't know any different (they see their situation as 'normal'), would it still be considered as trauma?

Or is it dependent on the behaviours they exhibit?

Do you think people need to know they have 'trauma' in order to work through the 'trauma'?

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

MalinkaCasual Contributor23 Feb 2021, 7:16 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

@Bunniekins I am not an expert in trauma (here to learn!) but my hunch is that intergenerational trauma is more connected to environment than genes. Just seems to match with what I've seen

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

chibamSenior Contributor23 Feb 2021, 7:20 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

Hi everyone! Late to the party, I know, but I'm here now!

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

CathyblueknotContributor23 Feb 2021, 7:20 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

@BPDSurvivor Great questions. Trauma is a label, and sometimes we can get stuck on labels. We try to focus on the present, and put more focus on the person and what we all need in the present to feel safe

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

Emelia8Senior Contributor23 Feb 2021, 7:20 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

Thanks for the tag @Daisydreamer

Hello @Cathyblueknot and thank you for being here for this event. Hi @Former-Member

I am a carer for my husband who has ptsd from military service. And a primary support person for my brother who has ptsd from a car accident where he lost his preteen daughter.

However, it sounds like you are onlt covering complex trauma here tonight. And neither my husband nor my brother have complex trauma, only a single incident.

However I personally have complex trauma, so will catch you on the LE discussion from 8pm.

Hi @Bunniekins @UTLAU @destructive @Shaz51 @Adge and any others.

Emelia 🌷

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

warmsunhelpsContributor23 Feb 2021, 7:21 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

Hello, sorry to join so late.

I'm a mother and wife supporting family with trauma. I also have trauma from early childhood.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

DaisydreamerSenior Contributor23 Feb 2021, 7:21 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

The impact of trauma is so broad and is felt in so many areas of life from social impacts, physical and mental health and wellbeing.

From your experience working with survivors of complex trauma (Question 3: ) How do people cope with the impact of trauma?

@Former-Member, I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this question also

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

CathyblueknotContributor23 Feb 2021, 7:22 pm AEDT

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Trauma and Supporting Loved Ones// Blue Knot Foundation // Tues 23rd February 2021, 7:00-8:00PM AEDT

Question 3: How do people cope with the impact of trauma?

It is important to acknowledge that everyone copes as best they can. That’s why it is important to celebrate survival and the coping strategies that have enabled a person to survive.

Some coping strategies which were protective at first can become less helpful later on and can become risk factors for physical health issues, or pose other risks. This includes alcohol, drug use, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and actions, avoidance, aggression etc.

It is important to acknowledge the role coping strategies have played but to support people to build their own internal resources to help them cope in different ways, as well as external support networks.

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