On Thursday the 27th of October, Blue Knot Foundation (the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma) will hold their online 'Festival of Healing' for Blue Knot Day, an Australian national day which calls on all Australians to unite in support of the more than 1 in 4 Australian adults who have experienced complex trauma.
This year's theme – "Nurturing Mind, Body and Soul – Exploring What You Need" – focuses on the importance of doing what we need to look after our wellbeing while being conscious that this can be especially challenging for people with experiences of trauma.
Members of the community are encouraged to join the conversation on Blue Knot Day via the Foundation's social channels or through the hashtag #BlueKnotDay by sharing their insights into what supports their own wellbeing.
For over twenty years, Blue Knot Foundation has advocated for the needs of survivors with complex trauma – repeated experiences of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation – and provides a community which supports their healing and minimises the risks of additional trauma.
By empowering recovery and fostering hope, Blue Knot Foundation has always prioritised building a community that is empathetic, understanding and focussed on wellbeing.
In 2022, the Foundation's vision of nurturing mind, body and soul will be harnessed through a range of resources and information for survivors, supporters and the general public, which will be available across Blue Knot's social media channels.
The Foundation will also host two free webinars on Blue Knot Day: one about the importance of compassion and empathy, and the other about building connection to body.
Tamara O'Sullivan, a member of the Blue Knot Executive who leads the Training, Practice and Organisational Training Team reflected:
"Blue Knot Day is our opportunity each year to connect with the community and acknowledge the impacts of complex trauma. This year we are focusing on the individual within the community. Each individual will experience the capacity to care for themselves differently, so we will explore both the barriers and the strategies to support individuals on their path of healing, through nurturing the self – mind, body and soul."
Dr Cathy Kezelman AM, President of Blue Knot Foundation and a national leader in trauma-informed practice and complex trauma with her own lived experience of trauma and recovery, has emphasised the importance of Blue Knot Day.
"It can be very challenging for survivors of complex trauma to prioritise themselves or find what it is that can support them to feel calm and safe. For those supporting survivors, it can be hard to care for themselves while caring for a loved one.
"This Blue Knot Day, we're exploring possibilities which can support people to feel more grounded and nurtured and providing some practical advice on how to do so," said Dr Kezelman.
