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Trauma

If you or someone you care about have experienced a traumatic event, it can affect your sense of safety and emotional wellbeing. While it can be hard to make sense of how it's affecting you, if the feelings are ongoing it's a good idea to talk to someone you trust and seek support.

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Experiencing trauma

Learn more about what a traumatic experience is, what are some common responses to trauma, and get some tips on how to cope.

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Acute stress and post-traumatic stress disorders

Learn to look for the signs of acute stress and PTSD, and if you think you suffer from either, it’s probably a good idea to seek support from a mental health professional.

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Understanding complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD)

Where post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is typically caused by one specific traumatic event, complex PTSD (CPTSD) is caused by long-lasting trauma. Learn more about CPTSD here.

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A day in the life: Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

This audio story follows rural high school student, Sam, as he struggles with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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Ask a therapist: How to cope with distressing events and bad world news

We asked Nasalifya Namwinga, a clinical psychologist, to answer your questions about distressing events, vicarious trauma and bad world news.

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Everything you need to know about sexual assault

Click here to learn about sexual assault, how trauma can affect your life, and how you can get support during tough times.

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What to do if you've realised a past experience was sexual assault

This article can help you work out if a past experience was sexual assault, how to come to terms with this realisation, and what steps you can take next.

Related topics

DepressionProfessional helpStress
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              We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

              We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

              ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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