Trauma recovery services
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The recent events in Sydney may be upsetting or unsettling. If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed or distressed, even if you were not directly affected, support is available.
You can speak to someone now - Lifeline – 13 11 14, Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636, Partners in Wellbeing – 1300 375 330, Yarning SafeNStrong – 1800 959 563, Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800.
If you are in an emergency, call triple zero (000).
- Trauma and children - newborns to two years
Babies and toddlers can be as affected by trauma as any other family member.
- Trauma and children - two to five years
Preschoolers may not have the words but will show their distress at traumatic events through changes in behaviour and functioning.
- Trauma and families
When a family is affected by trauma, everyone will react in a different way.
- Trauma and primary school age children
Children look to their parents or carers to judge how to deal with a crisis.
- Trauma and teenagers – common reactions
A teenager may be deeply upset by a traumatic event, but not share their feelings with their parents.
- Children's Health and Wellbeing Locals
Children’s Health and Wellbeing Locals provide health and wellbeing support for children aged zero to 11 and their families and carers.
- Counselling, online and phone support for mental illness
There are many free mental health hotlines and mental health online support services available across Victoria which provide crisis support, information, resources, counselling and therapy to people of all ages.
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect
Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect is a service dedicated to people who are supporting someone living with mental health and substance use challenges or psychological distress.
- Trauma - help for your reaction and recovery
It is normal for you to have strong reactions following a distressing or scary event. A distressing event could be, a bushfire or flood, a crime or act of violence against you, a car accident, being physically or sexually assaulted, seeing photos, news reports or social media posts about distressing events.
- Trauma and children - newborns to two years
Babies and toddlers can be as affected by trauma as any other family member.
- Trauma and children - two to five years
Preschoolers may not have the words but will show their distress at traumatic events through changes in behaviour and functioning.
- Trauma and families
When a family is affected by trauma, everyone will react in a different way.
- Trauma and primary school age children
Children look to their parents or carers to judge how to deal with a crisis.
- Trauma and teenagers – common reactions
A teenager may be deeply upset by a traumatic event, but not share their feelings with their parents.
- Near-miss experiences and traumatic events
Traumatic events usually happen quickly and chaotically. A near-miss experience occurs when you are involved in a traumatic event where you think you will die or be badly hurt, but are not. This can have a deep psychological impact, sometimes with lasting effects
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
People with post-traumatic stress disorder often experience feelings of panic or extreme fear, which may resemble what was felt during the traumatic event.
- Near-miss experiences and traumatic events
Traumatic events usually happen quickly and chaotically. A near-miss experience occurs when you are involved in a traumatic event where you think you will die or be badly hurt, but are not. This can have a deep psychological impact, sometimes with lasting effects
- Survivor reactions to traumatic events
If you have survived a traumatic event, whether you were injured or not, it's important to recognise that trauma also causes emotional harm. Survival is often associated with complex emotional reactions that cause distress and make it hard to resume everyday life after the event. These are known as ‘survivor reactions’.
- Trauma - help for your reaction and recovery
It is normal for you to have strong reactions following a distressing or scary event. A distressing event could be, a bushfire or flood, a crime or act of violence against you, a car accident, being physically or sexually assaulted, seeing photos, news reports or social media posts about distressing events.
- Near-miss experiences and traumatic events
Traumatic events usually happen quickly and chaotically. A near-miss experience occurs when you are involved in a traumatic event where you think you will die or be badly hurt, but are not. This can have a deep psychological impact, sometimes with lasting effects
- Trauma - help for your reaction and recovery
It is normal for you to have strong reactions following a distressing or scary event. A distressing event could be, a bushfire or flood, a crime or act of violence against you, a car accident, being physically or sexually assaulted, seeing photos, news reports or social media posts about distressing events.
Reviewed on: 15-12-2025