Website supports families and children

An ANU-run website that aims to provide support for Australian families and children dealing with trauma, loss and grief has been launched. The Trauma and Grief Network website is run by the Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network, which is based at The Australian National University and was founded in 2007. The new website provides people with up-to-date information and resources, including videos, podcasts, tip sheets, e-newsletters and links to trusted organisations and service providers. Founder and chairperson of the network Professor Beverley Raphael, who is also Head of the Academic Unit of Psychological and Addiction Medicine at ANU, said every year thousands of Australian children and teenagers experience adverse life events associated with loss, threat, exposure to violence, abuse, natural disasters, severe illness or injury. "Trauma, loss and grief are experiences that we all may face. They may impact acutely or over time. The website has been developed to help families to deal with such issues and the distress and impact on children and adolescent lives," she said.