Big Trauma, Big Change
What if we radically transformed our approach to mental health?
The problem
The current mental health system is failing. Outside the privileged metropolitan areas, there is little or no support for those dealing with trauma, suicidality and ongoing distress. Unprocessed trauma costs the nation around $25 billion a year.
Some 65% of Australians with mental health needs don’t access clinical support and most people who die by suicide don’t reach out at all. The World Health Organisation, the United Nations and the Australian Productivity Commission all agree we need an approach that moves beyond the medical model.
Our approach
The future of mental health depends on empowering people and communities. Big Trauma, Big Change, a project within the Big Anxiety Research Centre (BARC), works closely with communities to reimagine support for mental health and trauma and to develop accessible resources to enable big change, in ourselves and in the world.
BARC has an unparalleled track record of developing creative ways to work with trauma. They recognise that people are experts in their own lives with agency over their futures.
Rather than treating people for disorders, Big Trauma, Big Change offers inspiration, discovery and validation, using experiential media, such as virtual reality (VR), to engage the senses and emotions, and to explore how we enable growth and transformation.
In one day, we can bring a community together. In ten minutes, we can be transformed by a powerful immersive experience.
“We need to ask why we treat mental health as purely a disorder of the brain rather than something that is profoundly linked to experience, trauma, culture and community.” Scientia Professor Jill Bennett, Founder of the Big Anxiety Research Centre (BARC).
The outcomes
BARC developed the first VR for suicide prevention. They have delivered award- winning Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and VR for trauma support through transformative community programs and at large-scale festivals across Australia.
Their immersive tools and community programs have been proven to work in a remarkably short time frame with participants equating the workshop experience to doing “ten years of therapy”.
The project is currently working with communities in regional, rural and remote areas to develop the tools they need to make change.
Partner with this project and be a part of big change. Immerse yourself in hope. It’s time to invest in people and a better future.
This is a Massive Action Sydney project.
Project partners
- Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council
- Queensland Mental Health Commission
- Mawarnkarra Health Services, WA
- Waminda Aboriginal Health Centre, NSW
- Youturn Youth Mental Health Service, Queensland
- We Al-li
- Githabul Community, Warwick
- Momentum Health
- Leigh Place Aged Care
- Whiddon Group
- Out the Back Ventures
- TOA Japan
- Bridging Hope Charity Foundation
Project team
BARC has an unparalleled track record of developing creative ways to work with trauma. They recognise that people are experts in their own lives with agency over their futures.
Partner with this project and be a part of big change. Immerse yourself in hope. It’s time to invest in people and a better future.
“We’re looking at how we can equip people with powerful immersive tools that support them to work with very complex feelings of distress and memories of trauma.”
Work with us
The UNSW Innovation Hub tackles diverse problem-solving projects, varying in size, complexity and subject matter. We specialise in complex challenges that require collaboration, a design-led approach, and that can’t be addressed by a single discipline.
If you have a project proposal or potential partnership that you would like to discuss, please get in touch.
- Overview
- News
- Our team
- References