Welcome to our Djilba (first spring) eNews 2023
Injury Matters is pleased to provide support to Western Australians impacted by road trauma via the Road Trauma Support WA Service. A snapshot of who and how we have supported those impacted by road trauma can be found on our website.
Road Trauma Support WA will again be supporting the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday 19th November. The annual event provides the opportunity to pay our respects to those killed and injuries on Western Australian Roads. To mark this day and in the lead up to the holiday season, we will deliver the Six Supportive Steps campaign. The six-week online campaign helps people grieving the loss of a loved one support themselves or others during the holiday season. Find out more about the World Day of Remembrance here and the Six Supportive Steps Campaign below.
Over the winter months the team have travelled across WA visiting different towns including Gingin, Broome, and Dowerin. The service has seen an increase in requests for support from regional communities impacted by road trauma and are currently finalising travel plans for the remainder of the year. If your community has been impacted by road trauma and would like support, please get in touch with the team at 6166 7688 or admin@rtswa.org.au.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback on our service through the Road Trauma Support WA 2023 Annual Survey. The information provided helps to inform future service needs.
As we come up to school holidays, we’d like to remind everyone to drive safely on the roads.
In July, the team were invited to Gingin to deliver the workshop ‘After A Road Crash: Supporting Yourself and Others’ to local emergency services. The team at Gingin made RTSWA feel very welcome and created a great, safe environment for all attendees to discuss the impact of road trauma, grief and loss in their roles, and the fantastic work they do to support themselves and their colleagues.
Road Trauma Support Out in the Community
We were also was invited to Royal Perth Hospital to attend P.A.R.T.Y (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth), which aims to deter young people from risky behaviour by exposing them to the reality of what happens inside the trauma wards. The team is working with the program facilitators to include post-crash care support information and resources to students who attend this informative and impactful program.
In August, we travelled to Broome to continue its support of RAC Project Road Smart and provide mental health first aid to anyone who may be triggered as well as offer support through an information display and resources.
The team attended the Dowerin Machinery Field Day this year to support the crash re-enactment scenes undertaken by Department of Fire and Emergency Services, St John Ambulance WA, and State Emergency Service. We would like to express our appreciation to the local emergency services for their initiative and considerations in the post-care space including the importance of wellbeing when watching high impact crash re-enactments.
Introducing Ian Holbrook
Ian joins the Team in the Practice Lead position and is excited to bring his experience and knowledge to the role. Having served in the WA Police before commencing a career in Psychology, Ian is able to draw upon those early career experiences and incorporate them into his therapeutic approach.
Ian is an AHPRA registered Supervising Psychologist who has worked in not for profit, government, and private sector roles. Having a strong background in supporting veterans recovering from trauma and other complex mental health issues, Ian is passionate about making a difference in his community.
Six Supportive Steps Campaign
Injury Matters, through Road Trauma Support WA, is once again delivering the six-week online campaign Six Supportive Steps, to help people impacted by road trauma who are grieving the loss of a loved one during the holiday season.
Using actionable tips and strategies, the ‘Six Supportive Steps’ campaign will run from World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday, 19th November through until the end of December, with each week focusing on one of six supportive steps:
- Remember
- Acknowledge
- Plan
- Act
- Support
- Take time
Support the campaign by following Road Trauma Support WA on Facebook and Twitter/X and liking and sharing the supportive steps on your social media feeds. You can also download the Six Supportive Steps Digital Resources Kit from www.rtswa.org.au and tailor the articles and post to suit your organisation or community.
Upcoming events and activities in the Community
Regional and metro training and events continue to be planned for the remainder of the year, with the following events confirmed:
- 14th September: York, WA Police, Road Trauma Support Information Session
- 16th -19th October: Albany, RAC Project Road Smart and various Introduction to Road Trauma Support information sessions
- 23rd-25th October: Esperance, Transafe WA Road Transport Safety Forum
- 6th -10th November: Karratha and Onslow, After a Crash: Supporting Yourself and Others, Emergency Responder Workshops.
If you would like our team to meet with your organisation or workplace while we are in your region, please contact us at admin@rtswa.or.au or 6166 7688.
Rural Road Safety Month – September 2023
The Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF) are running their sixth Rural Road Safety Month national awareness Campaign. This campaign targets regional and rural road safety throughout September.
Rural road crashes account for more than 65% of the Australian road toll, and the rate of serious road-related injury in rural areas is nearly twice that of those in major cities. You can get involved by hosting a community-based awareness event or downloading some of the activities using their campaign resources.
Australasian Road Safety Conference 2023
19th to 21st September
Join Australia’s leading road safety and injury prevention researchers, practitioners, and policy makers for the Australasian Road Safety Conference 2023. Online and in person tickets still available.
R U OK? Day 2023 – I’m Here to Hear
This past Thursday 14th of September, R U OK? is called on all of us to let the people you care about know you’re here, to really hear them.
By taking the time for an RUOK? conversation and genuinely listening with an open mind, we can all help the people in our world feel supported and connected, particularly after road trauma.
Have you heard of the Dutch Reach?
The Dutch Reach is a method gaining positive support around the globe and was launched in the Netherlands in the 1970’s as a response to high road deaths. The method refers to opening your car door using the hand furthest from the door, taking a precautionary look back over your shoulder for any incoming traffic.
Have something to share?
Let us know if you have an event or item you would like to include in our next quarterly eNews due out in December 2023. Contact Road Trauma Support WA with your request.