Australasian Conference on Traumatic Stress

This was such an interesting panel followed by a thoughtful discussion Thank you Phoenix Australia #ACOTS24 Royal Far West for the opportunity

Call for applications: ESTSS future international leadership group – Deadline extended to November 30, 2024 The members of this group are highly dedicated young professionals in the field of psychotraumatology in Europe. This is your opportunity to work together with experienced colleagues in ESTSS committees on a range of strategic activities. More at https://lnkd.in/djaYHBhH

Interesting work. One of several emerging studies suggesting the clinical utility of the ICD-11 distinction between PTSD and Complex PTSD.

Over the weekend Andrew Khoo presented at the ACOTS conference in Melbourne. He discussed guilt and its relationship to mental illness and suicide attempts in an Australian veteran population with PTSD as well as Toowong Private Hospital’s Trauma Recovery Program day patient model of care. Phoenix Australia Australasian Conference on Traumatic Stress #ACOTS2024 #TraumaRecovery #mentalhealth

What a fantastic ACOTS 2024! 🎉 Huge thanks to everyone who attended, presented and contributed to making this conference such a success. Your insights, discussions, and collaborations have truly enriched our understanding of traumatic stress. 🙏 We're also incredibly grateful to our dedicated volunteers, organisers, and sponsors - Disaster Relief Australia, UniSC Thompson Institute and EML - who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to create this memorable event. 👏 Here's to continued learning, growth, and support in the field of traumatic stress studies. #ACOTS2024 #traumaticstress #mentalhealth #conference #ACOTS24 #TraumaRecovery #TransformingTraumaVictoria #MentalHealth Transforming Trauma Victoria Victorian Government Australasian Conference on Traumatic Stress

Yep, another "highlights from #acots2024 conference" post... 😊 It was great to come together in-person as a community of trauma researchers, policy makers and practitioners at ACOTS last week - the first time since 2019! I was really pleased to see an increased recognition in the program of mental health and wellbeing related to large-scale emergencies: 📢 Grete Dyb's insights into designing and delivering a program to support young people and their families after the 2011 terror attack in Norway - and we can definitely increase our readiness in Australia. 📢 Dr Ros L. representing Reclink Australia's commendable whole of organisation approach to delivering services in a trauma and disaster-informed way. 📢 Meg Dennison's chaired panel on considering and addressing the specialised support needs of children, young people and their families impacted by disaster. 📢 Co-presenting on World Health Organization MHPSS project led by Lisa Gibbs, alongside Elizabeth Newnham (co-designing interventions with young people) and Robyn Molyneaux (considering the understudied area of sleep in the context of disaster). 📢 Loretta Watson and Suzanne Leckie presenting on Natural Hazards Research Australia's project on considerations for (the tricky topic of) tracking PTE exposure within emergency services 📢 Laura E. Fischer challenged us raise the status, standard and extent of Lived Experience involvement and leadership 📢 Posters on disaster related mental health Thanks to Disaster Relief Australia for supporting the conference and bringing this topic to the fore. Freya Makinson Robyn Kirby Robyn Molyneaux Katitza Marinkovic Chavez Michelle Morrison Sarah Eagland Dr Alex De Young Nicholas Da Silva Sarah Strauven Dr Ros L. Dave Wells Callista Cooper Jason Carter #mentalhealth #trauma #disasters #terrorism #livedexperience #acots24

Following our AGM, we would like to thank our 23-24 Management Committee for all their hard work during this period of change. While the composition of the current committee is being finalised, we want to send our warmest gratitude to our outgoing committee members. A very special mention to our co-chair and past president Simon Rosenbaum who has worked tirelessly to ensure that our society has been modernised and is the forefront of trauma within our region and beyond into the wider world. Thank you immensely to Grace McKeon for your leadership on a range of projects, including the Allied Health Special Interest Group, our website, and a range of governance structures. We are excited to see how our SIG evolves with your interdisciplinary leadership! Finally, we are grateful for Patricia Cullen, who joined us last year and has provided an important voice of reason, practicality, and encouragement.

Back in the office after an incredible week of conferences and connecting with epic humans. First up Full Stop Australia’s “What will it take?” Conference - to end violence against women and girls. A powerful reminder of why our research and clinical work in this space is so vital. Laura Tarzia Tara Hunter Tarang Chawla Sarah Rosenberg And then Australasian Conference on Traumatic Stress 2024 - a coming together of likeminded researchers, clinicians and policy-makers with a focus on finding effective approaches to supporting those impacted by trauma - shaped and ethically co-created with victim-survivors. Laura E. Fischer thank you for all that you are and do in this space - Traumascapes CIC feels like a bright beacon of light in the world of trauma. Grace McKeon, Chiara Mastrogiovanni and Reza Rostami - it was a joy to present alongside you all, sharing our passion for trauma-focused physical activity in a symposium. So amazing to hang out in real life with Michelle Pebole, PhD, MA, and to meet lovely humans like Ruth Troughton, Kate Carragher and Danielle Baldock. Thank you also of course to Simon Rosenbaum and Megan Teychenne for your support and encouragement.

Had an incredible experience presenting the first study of my PhD as a poster at the Australasian Conference on Traumatic Stress (#ACOTS2024) “Exploring the Links: Understanding the Associations Between Type of Trauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Growth.”  The conference theme, “Moving through trauma: pathways to transformation,” set the stage for a truly inspiring experience. I had the chance to delve deep into the nuanced connections between trauma types and posttraumatic growth, a critical piece of my PhD journey.  Beyond presenting, ACOTS 2024 was an invaluable opportunity to learn from leading experts, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and connect with fellow researchers and practitioners dedicated to advancing trauma recovery. I left with fresh insights, new ideas, and enriching perspectives that will undoubtedly shape my ongoing research.  Thank you to everyone who contributed to the beautiful experience! Looking forward to applying these learnings as I continue to explore the transformative journey of posttraumatic growth. #ACOTS2024 #PosttraumaticGrowth #TraumaResearch #ClinicalPsychology #PhDJourney

That’s a wrap on the Australasian Conference on Traumatic Stress 2024! Some highlights included: - Our physical activity and trauma focused symposium with Grace McKeon, Thea Baker and Reza Rostami - Hosting with Grace McKeon the ASTSS Allied Health Special Interest Group meeting - Laura E. Fischer’s keynote address on ‘Moving through trauma on survivors’ terms: towards embodied healing and epistemic justice’ - The opportunity I had to be part of the conference Organising Committee with ASTSS and Phoenix Australia - Finally meeting Ruth Troughton in person!