Thanks to Natasha Exelby, a contestant on the popular reality show, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been put in the spotlight with the star nominating charity Fearless PTSD Australia/NZ to receive $100,000 should she win the show.
According to Alex Gerrick, CEO of Fearless PTSD Australia/NZ, a national charity that works with people living with the consequences of PTSD, upwards of 1 million people in Australia are suffering PTSD, and there are upwards of 3 million people living with people experiencing PTSD on a daily basis.
Gerrick adds, “PTSD is a national problem which requires a national response. We were thrilled when Natasha announced Fearless as her nominated charity as it’s helped spark a national conversation about PTSD - a conversation which will hopefully only grow in the lead up to our national conference on PTSD being held on the Sunshine Coast from 21-23 August 2019.”
“In addition to sparking more discussion and dialogue on PTSD, we want to explore with the participants of that conversation who may be sufferers of PTSD, supporters of people with PTSD or influencers of people of PTSD (i.e. researchers, medical teams etc), how we can develop a community-owned and community-operated PTSD management protocol which helps us to better identify PTSD and treat it, and what should be contained within it.”
“There is a lot to talk about when it comes to PTSD. We’re currently finalising speakers and putting together a really exciting program,” added Gerrick.
Gerrick says the fact Exelby is shedding light on the national issue and the organisation’s cause via her involvement in the popular TV show is very helpful indeed. He says she is also showing many ‘fearless’ qualities by bravely taking on the show’s regular challenges, just as she has throughout her career as a journalist.
Working in Canberra as a political correspondent in Parliament House and then in Sydney as a senior journalist and anchor, Exelby has covered some of the biggest stories of the generation. As Network Ten’s United States correspondent, Exelby reported on the assassination of Osama bin Laden, and worked in Afghanistan and Syria, reporting from over 20 countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East where she saw first hand the effects of PTSD on everyone from civilians to military forces.
“While it is important to note that PTSD is a significant issue for our service personnel and civilians affected by war, it also impacts the broader Australian community,” says Gerrick.
“Our members come from all walks of life including those living with PTSD and their families or people who want to do their bit to make the lives of people living with PTSD more manageable.
To ensure PTSD is a national conversation and that awareness is high for the conference, organisers are now inviting people to join the conversation via the organisation’s social channels, and to register to receive conference updates at fearlessconference.org.au. Early bird tickets will go on sale 20 February 2019.
