Show Notes
Leaving hospital can be an important milestone after an acquired brain injury (ABI), but coming home can bring a new set of challenges for children, young people and their families. Without the routines and support of hospital around you, families begin adjusting to changes in everyday life, relationships, school and expectations for recovery. Emotions and mental health can fluctuate over time as everyone begins to process what has happened. In episode 2 of Beyond a Brain Injury: Talking Mental Health and ABI, the Clayton family discuss their experience leaving hospital after Sophie’s stroke and the mental health challenges they encountered adapting to their ‘new normal’. You’ll also hear from advanced social worker, Alana English and neuropsychologist, Dr Valda Biezaitis as they discuss what life after hospital can look like and practical advice for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the whole family. The episode explores: adjusting to life at home after an ABI understanding that recovery is not always linear grief and loss as a child grows and circumstances change supporting a child or young person’s mental health changes to family roles and relationships the experiences and strengths of siblings navigating school, community and other supports.
Episode resources If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental wellbeing, support is available. In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000). The following services can provide help and counselling to you in non-emergency situations. 13HEALTH, call 13 43 25 84 and talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Produced with funding thanks to the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIISQ).
More from Beyond a Brain Injury
When Sophie was four years old, she had a stroke. For Sophie and the Clayton family, life changed in an instant — and the journey that followed has involved much more than physical recovery. In this bonus episode of Beyond a Brain Injury: Talking Mental Health and ABI, we hear Sophie’s story in her own words, and what it’s like living with an acquired brain injury (ABI). Her parents, Amanda and Jamie, also their perspectives and insights to why looking after the mental health and wellbeing of the whole family has helped throughout Sophie’s recovery. Episode resources If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental wellbeing, support is available. In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000). The following services can provide help and counselling to you in non-emergency situations. 13HEALTH, call 13 43 25 84 and talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When a child or young person experiences an acquired brain injury (ABI), life can change very quickly. Alongside the physical impacts of the injury, children, young people and their families can experience a range of emotions including shock, grief, fear and uncertainty. Welcome to the first episode of Beyond a Brain Injury: Talking Mental Health and ABI, where we’ll explore the mental health and wellbeing impacts of ABI in the early days following an injury or diagnosis. We hear from the Clayton family as they discuss their lived experienced after their daughter Sophie suffered a stroke when she was four years old. You’ll also hear from advanced social worker, Alana English and neuropsychologist, Dr Valda Biezaitis as they detail what families may experience during this time, why there is no ‘right’ way to respond, and practical ways parents and carers can support their child, themselves and other members of the family. The episode explores: common emotional and mental health responses following an ABI grief, loss and adjusting to unexpected change supporting siblings and the wider family looking after yourself as a parent or carer finding hope while navigating uncertainty.