People recovering from family, domestic or sexual violence in East Gippsland can now access free online support whenever they need it.
Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) has partnered with TraumaConnect to offer local people free access to the digital platform, which provides safe information about trauma and recovery.
The platform includes articles and practical information from clinicians and people with lived experience of trauma, along with videos designed to help people better understand the impacts of trauma. It can also be used by carers, family members and health professionals supporting someone through recovery.
GLCH Family Violence Services manager Trish Prighel said the platform complemented the organisation’s face-to-face support.
“We know asking for help isn’t always easy,” Trish said.
“Sometimes people want to understand what they’re experiencing before they speak to someone. Sometimes they’re waiting for an appointment, or they’re supporting someone they care about.
“This gives people somewhere safe to start. It’s accessible and it’s a targeted response, complementing our face-to-face delivery of care.”
TraumaConnect is an initiative of the Cairnmillar Institute, which has provided mental health education, psychology training and clinical services for more than 65 years.
The Cairnmillar and GLCH partnership is part of the Supporting Outreach Healthcare for Victim-Survivors of Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence pilot program.
This initiative is funded by the Federal Government under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children and is commissioned locally through the Gippsland Primary Health Network.
Cairnmillar chief executive officer Kathryn von Treuer said TraumaConnect was developed to help fill a gap for people recovering from trauma, as well as those supporting them.
“TraumaConnect developed out of a need that we saw for victim survivors of trauma, but also the needs of carers and health professionals – to empower people to help recover from trauma and have a sense of hope,” Kathryn said.
“TraumaConnect is on 24/7. It’s available every day for people to access information that can help. TraumaConnect can help when you’re waiting for your next appointment with your practitioner.
“The resources you can access are evidence based, and the content is co-designed by people with lived experience of trauma.”
The Cairnmillar Institute provides education and training in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy, alongside outreach clinics and telehealth services across Australia.
People living or working in East Gippsland can access TraumaConnect free of charge at https://traumaconnect.org.au/.
For those who want to find out more about GLCH’s family violence support, call 5155 8300.
