Archive for December, 2009
Submission focussed on suicide risk of adult survivors of child abuse
Across Australia there has been a systemic failure to provide appropriate trauma-informed services to
the majority of those needing them. This has been compounded by a failure to translate advances in
trauma research into education and practice. The composite failures in service provision and expertise,
as well as in access and equity significantly exacerbate the risk of suicide and self-harm in adult
survivors of childhood trauma. Information on the psychological impacts of abuse and trauma and tools
to help address them must be introduced nationally into core mental health training and curricula as a
priority. Responsive and effective crisis management must be matched by affordable accessible ongoing
care so that the core issues of abuse, which directly contribute to increased risk of suicide and self harm
are adequately addressed.