Looking for support material or resources to pass on to friends and family

[Tezfromdownunder]

Recently I have shared with my family that I am a victim of abuse, I have reached out and currently seeking support from my family yet I have hit a brick wall and feel that maybe they just do not have any tools or resources to help me.

I am not asking them to help me heal from the abuse - I am seeking professional help with that, more I am trying to have them understand that the way they communicate with me just doesnt work. So I want to send them info sheets etc to read and perhaps this will allow them to make neccessary adjustments when I interact with them. Not only am I seeking them to modify how they communicate but also listen and have a dialogue on how to help me with making connections with people and improving my quality of life. Lets just say my anxiety prevents me enjoying a family bbq. I have asked that my family engage with me at these events instead of letting me sit around avoiding people. So any resource on how they can help me with that would be great.

[smallwolf]

hello and welcome.

There is probably brochures out there that would help you with that you want. I was going to suggest there might be some books they could read. I find it easier to talk to my professionals vs my wife, because they (the professionals) ask questions and allow you to explore the topic, whereas others might my reply "OK". So the frustration you can feel is real. With that said, there are situations where I have to talk with wife about something and I will talk that over with the psychologist first and get tips for that conversation. Have you tried that out? It has worked for me.

[geoff]

Hello Tez, the trouble with family is that they could believe nothing happened or that it wasn't as bad as you say it was, that could be the biggest problem to overcome.

Even any information you give them, they may just dismiss and not read all the material you hand them and perhaps you need a psychologist to help you, rather than your family who could be biased.

Geoff.

Life Member.

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Tez

There may be info sheets available from organisations that support people who’ve experienced abuse. You could try contacting them and even if they don’t have what you’re looking for they may be able to direct you to resources elsewhere.

There is the Blue Knot Foundation who specialise in supporting people with complex trauma and they do have fact sheets. If you look on their front webpage you will see they have a link to fact sheets. You could see if these fit your situation. Just scroll down and you should see a link. If you look in their menu you will see they also have a section for supporters of people who’ve experienced abuse.

blueknot.org.au

Ph. 1300 657 380

Another organisation that may be of help is 1800Respect. I cannot immediately find info sheets there but you could contact them and they may be able to direct you to the kinds of resources you’re looking for.

1800Respect.org.au

Ph. 1800 737 732

They also have online chat.

You could also contact the Beyond Blue helpline who may be able to direct you to what you’re looking for:

1300 224 636

They have online chat too.

If you are currently working with a psychologist/psychiatrist/counsellor you could also get advice from them as smallwolf and Geoff have suggested.

It can sometimes be challenging getting the understanding you need from family. I hope you can find some useful tools and strategies.