Abstract
Direct and vicarious traumatisation is a serious concern for people living and working in the Australian outback. The extreme heat and dryness, the vast distances between services (some people drive up to 800 kms on dirt tracks to services), and the ongoing issue of racial injustices combine to contribute to the risk of traumatisation. Access difficulties and limited support services worsen the severity of the symptoms of vicarious trauma. This results in serious consequences for wellbeing. Forty-four qualitative interviews were conducted with people who live in the outback town of Alice Springs. These were analysed thematically using a constructivist framework. Sixty-seven different ethnicities are represented in Alice Springs and a key finding of the study was that culturally diverse people regularly engage with non-medical forms of treatment as a way of managing the symptoms of traumatisation. These treatments were provided by culturally diverse complementary medicine therapists and traditional Aboriginal healers. People sought relief for longstanding trauma, work-related trauma and burnout, and general wellbeing. The therapists provide a range of treatments that produce a greater sense of control in life and relief from symptoms. People report a reduction in symptoms such as anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue, mental fogginess and feelings of despair, all typical symptoms of vicarious trauma and burnout. These therapies are not part of the public health system and are overlooked as a health care resource. Nevertheless, non-medical treatments that bridge cultures are filling essential gaps in trauma care for people living in the outback.
Presenters
Aqua HastingsLecturer and Course Coordinator Community Services and Youth Work, School of Counselling, Excelsia University College, New South Wales, Australia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
CULTURAL HEALTH, INDIGENOUS MEDICINE, DIVERSITY, TRAUMA TREATMENT, VICARIOUS TRAUMA
