Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Our brains will often go into fight, flight or freeze mode when we find ourselves in a dangerous situation, so it’s completely natural to be unsure on what to do. One of the ways we can navigate this, is to explore options while there is no danger – build some scenarios in your mind, and develop plans on what to do in these situations. This includes thinking about: who can you call (friends, family, services, emergency services, neighbours etc) what information will you need where can you go what can you say how can you keep yourself safe if there is a trusted person you can develop a safe word with who can access help on your behalf if the word is used Sometimes it helps to have these types of information written down (*only if it is safe to have this). Some resources to help with understanding what to do include: Domestic violence | eSafety Commissioner Fight, Flight, & Freeze Embodied Wheel - A Resource for Growing Window of Tolerance - LindsayBraman.com Welcome to Arc - Free Family Violence Information Recording App (arc-app.org.au)

Who Can I Talk To? Teacher School Counsellor Parent or Guardian Trustworthy Adult Family Member Siblings Coaches Religious Leader Mentor Therapist Trusted friend You Can Also Talk to an Online Counsellor! Kids Helpline Counsellor headspace Counsellor

Where there are high levels of harm or risk for young people, this can be an option. However, there are many services who can intervene and support families before it gets to the stage of separating children from their families. These services can work with the parents and young people in offering information, referrals and strategies to make changes to create a safer environment and maintain a family unit where possible. The safety and welfare of young people is always priority and informs all decisions, which can be difficult to accept when it feels like your world is crumbling around you and you want to protect your parents/care givers/siblings. If you are worried about what might happen and would like more advice, you could anonymously talk to an online counsellor at Kids Helpline, headspace or 1800 Respect. There are people who can help 💜

Taking on the responsibility of caring for siblings can be stressful, overwhelming and isolating. While also being incredibly courageous and loving. Before it gets to the stage where you have to care for your siblings, it may also be possible to engage in support services who can try to work with the parents or adult care-givers to increase their parenting capacity or develop safety plans. For example, in various NSW and QLD locations, Social Futures run a variety of youth groups and services to support youth effected by trauma. You could also speak to a counsellor or trusted adult about your concerns around looking after your siblings as they may be able to help reduce your stress.

The important things to know are that you are never alone and it is not your fault. There are many reasons we may find ourselves in an unhealthy relationship but there are also programs, like the Shark Cage, that can support you to identify, prevent and understand violence. The Shark Cage® The Shark Cage Program for Young Women - The Shark Cage® There are also many other resources that may be helpful to gain an understanding of both healthy and unhealthy relationships. Charmed & Dangerous 754.pdf (nsw.gov.au) Purple Book Love & Learn App (help identify signs of a healthy/unhealthy relationship) - A5-Love-and-Learn-App-Flyer-qr-codes-FINAL.pdf (beyonddv.org.au) or Love&Learn on the App Store (apple.com)

Housing support: Financial support: Depending on your age and situation, there may be financial supports available from Centrelink (Eg. Youth Allowance - Services Australia)

Firstly, it’s important to know that you are not responsible for the mental health of your family members, it can be burdensome if you take on the belief that you should ‘fix’ someone’s mental health. We can’t make change in anyone else’s life, we can only offer them invitations to change their own. Resources for mental health support: headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation Apps Medicare benefits headspace Offers information on a wide range of mental health issues as well as information on where to access support and how to help loved ones. Anonymous counselling is also provided for free at headspace. https://headspace.org.au/ Apps $$ - Headspace - Mental Health and Wellness Resources and App | Headspace $$ - Calm - Calm - The #1 App for Meditation and Sleep $$ - Daylio - Daylio - Journal, Diary and Mood Tracker – a Journaling app $0 - Calm Halm - Home - Calm Harm App (stem4.org.uk) $0 - Smiling Mind - Smiling Mind Medicare You may be eligible for up to 10 free therapy sessions per year through Medicare if you: Are an Australian, New Zealand, or permanent or temporary resident of Australia See your doctor, who will: Discuss your needs Write a mental health treatment plan Refer you to a mental health professional Read more here: https://www.mymirror.com.au/education/how-to-access-free-therapy-in-australia

Be there App This app guides people who want to be an active bystander or support their friends/family/loved ones by providing information and options on how to intervene (directly or indirectly) Be There App – A domestic violence bystander support app InnerBoy App This app is for men using violence/harmful behaviours where they may have trauma themselves. It is a gentle, supportive, self-paced program developed by a man who has been subjected to both sexual and domestic violence in childhood InnerBoy by Matt Brown | 30 Day programme app (available NZ only) | InnerBoy