Finding our Voice - supporting social and emotional wellbeing after the referendum

[@cezannevennitti68]

Thank-you for sharing this presentation! I found it very helpful in gaining an understanding of some of the initial and ongoing effects and trauma created by the response to the referendum and practical in ways to continue to show support for change in this space. I stand with you! Thank-you!

[@AKay-nu5xh]

I’d like to add, that information I had become aware of speaking to people that had immigrated to Australia, were told by government officials, that they would have to return home if the referendum would be in favour of Australia’s First Nations Peoples.

[@nickglover9007]

The point is the Vote was no. By a huge number. You cannot in retrospect (post the important Voice campaign) suggest a blaming process (or something akin to blame, anger, lack of care, etc.) regarding the No voters. That just shifts blame from one group to another group of people. The fact is a whole lot of people experience trauma, not just First Nation people. But no less First Nation people either. It would have being probably better to try to enact a National Trauma Act so that all kinds of Trauma (including profound First Nation traumas over time), that would benefit all people who share Trauma experience (as a Nationwide example of Healing). If that had being done first, then you could focus on the specifics of how certain groups experienced collective trauma. But anytime you emphasize one group's trauma, you risk not equally offering such a Trauma Healing Voice to all. For example, we have over half a million Autistic people who are massively marginalized and hence are overwhelmed by trauma - just as neglected as for any other culture of people. The same for the Homelessness (90% show clear Trauma symptoms), etc. The need to have had a focus on Trauma reconciliation / healing was always a better (and more widely shared) cause - than say something to do with the Constitution. Bringing together Trauma 'ALLIES' is a possible way forward after this painful episode, as discussed here by these decent people. This is not in any way to suggest that a No vote was right, it was not. But the same process (healing a nation) means we need to address this wound in everyone who has experienced Trauma. You cannot compare one type of class of Trauma than another. Hence, as an example, in the USA they are getting a thing called the Trauma Rise Act that is before Congress. Cultural difference just adds to the National Trauma wound- well of sorrows. If you have say five traumatized children or adults. The key response is that ALL need to be loved more, offered safety, healing words and healing acts that make a difference for all. Of course Racism is deeply prevalent in many aspects of Australian history. Anyone who suggests otherwise is on another planet. The more who are responded to worthy of Trauma care and way more supports for both historical and here and now Trauma, as this is something that so many can understand, almost everyone. The more you bring people together through a shared experience like Trauma, the less there are to say (any kind of) no - o what is needed by so many, and absolutely and so obviously including First Nation human beings. I voted YES by the way.