Monday 8th March 2021
As the mental health of Australians continues to be affected in the wake of recent bushfires, drought, and a global pandemic, one national not-for-profit advocacy group is stepping up to ensure the conversation around Post Traumatic Stress Disorder continues.
Following the success of its inaugural National Conversation on PTSD in 2019, FearLess will hold its 2021 Conversation with the theme ‘PTSD in an Era of Trauma’ to reflect the current Australian landscape.
To be held virtually across two days on 24-25 August 2021, the event is dedicated to building its national network that informs and educates the health professionals who care for, research, and treat PTSD, as well as supporting the one million Australians currently suffering from the condition and the estimated five million Australians who are actively supporting or caring for someone with PTSD.
FearLess Chairman and Co-Founder, Chris Barrie AC, said the importance of bringing people together to share their experiences of or with PTSD cannot be underestimated.
“This is not a conference or a convention – it is a genuine and multi-directional conversation that advances how Australia makes authentic change to help people,” he said.
“We are committed to bringing together people who have the knowledge to enable sufferers to exercise control over their future and allow supporters, loved ones, health professionals and researchers a chance to better understand how they can best help.
“There is a common yet misplaced understanding that PTSD is a condition that targets only military personnel or emergency services workers, but we know that major events like the 2019/20 bushfires have had a significant impact in regions where victims are still suffering flashbacks and sometimes spiraling down in their loneliness.”
“A focus on regional issues and communities will definitely be taking a front seat at this year’s conversation. We want to look carefully at how community networks can be a far greater ally than government or policy makers when it comes to how a PTSD sufferer is best supported.”
The Call for Speakers for the 2021 FearLess National Conversation is now open, and Mr Barrie said submissions would be reviewed on a simple but important set of measures.
“We’re calling for speakers to inform us all, and offer hope to those in serious need,” he said.
“We’re looking for submissions which focus on evidence-based research and treatments, including case studies. Of course the event itself is open to anyone impacted by PTSD and the platform welcomes anyone who can add to the conversation in a way that grows not only the FearLess community for the better, but the communities these people work and live in,” he said.
To submit an EOI to be part of the August event visit the Call for Speakers page on the FearLess website for more information: https://fearlessconference.org.au/call-for-speakers/
The virtual event will be delivered by a fully interactive and secure online platform called OnAir. Early bird ticket sales open on Wednesday 31st March 2021. To purchase, visit: https://fearlessconference.org.au/
For additional information / media enquiries
Megan Woodward: 0487 352 859
Tracy Duncan: 0413 702 685
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