Australians Are Outraged: I Feel Calm

Australians are outraged. I feel calm. On 16th of January 2021, I started my first daily question for Tharnicaa and Kopika on Twitter. Shortly after I found 2021 Human Rights Watch World Report. I made a series of threads that taught me what a nightmare we are in. #HealingTrauma

I was attacked by trolls. I was even called a ‘political pedophile’. Through #HomeToBilo, Priya and Nades gave me permission to continue. Although I took a step back and made threads on some of the best things I’ve learnt from Psychology the past 20 years.

Twelve weeks later, I made one thread with a Nelson Mandela quote – “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – that includes: All of Australia’s violations of human rights and trauma informed tools for survival and wellbeing. I could share more but what is the point?

My partner is 4th Dan Black Belt Filipino Martial Arts. Following his one instruction I won Kali 3D International Filipino Martial Arts Tournament even against 50 men! I was crowned “Hurricane Lou”. If I have learnt anything from him it is stick to the basics during combat.

Always stay calm: remain plain, simple and satisfied. If I applied this to Psychology there is one basic premise. While each injustice differs, all stories share the same trauma: the negative operation of power (ie. a family member, educator, employer, government, religious institution, climate change, war, etc).

The first time I spoke truth was during my PhD back in 2012. I was silenced. I ended up hospitalised with Psychosis. A decade later my voice is loud and clear. What is truth? Safety, freedom, health, wellbeing are basic human rights. Far too many of us have been denied them.

The solutions are also basic. However, without power nothing can be achieved. I feel calm because Tharnicaa and Kopika have taught me in twelve weeks more than I’ve learnt in my lifetime. They have helped me to understand Australia’s issues.

They have inspired me everyday to find simple, straightforward and inclusive solutions. I feel calm because I have the freedom to share my story with my whole heart. I feel calm because what took me 20 years to learn we now have it all available for all for free.

Your smart phone is your greatest weapon. The whole world is in the palm of our hands. While I may not be able to change all of Australia completely, I do receive messages daily that I have helped many personally. If I could give Australia one gift it would be clarity.

Your body only needs health and safety. It does not care what you look like. Similarly, your mind needs clarity: to see things just the way they are. Australia’s problem is that many people in power have confidence without clarity. Confidence without clarity is disastrous.

Confidence without clarity has destroyed this planet and killed countless lives. Clarity knows this truth. The byproduct of clarity is peace. Joy is simply peace dancing. With clarity one has the opportunity to experience peace, joy, love, compassion, blissfulness and ecstasy.

Clarity is to be extra “ordinary”. Like children and animals, their intelligence is extraordinary. How in touch they are with life. I feel calm because clarity saved my life. I feel calm because Grace Tame, Brittany Higgins and Kate Thornton finally opened Pandora’s Box.

This moment is unprecedented. Every break down has the potential to lead to a break through. If we have the courage and commitment we can use this moment for us all. With clarity we can recreate Australia based on truth: local wisdom, science and compassion. So don’t seek happiness. Seek Clarity.

It has been six months since I published this piece on Twitter. I had no idea I would be selected to be the Psychologist for over 35 Indigenous Health experts at the Closing the Gap on Indigenous Health Conference. I had no idea I would be asked to be on an expert panel to select the best organisation for a new Adult Mental Health Service in Queensland.

I had no idea Wellways would invite me onto Brainwaves at 3CR Community Radio to share my lived experience of Psychosis. I had no idea they would invite me back to share trauma informed tools for survival and wellbeing and my vision for human rights and a trauma informed Australia.

I had no idea Dr Cathy Kezelman, President of Blue Knot Foundation, would reach out to thank me for the work and advocacy I have been doing. I actually thought I was in trouble for crossing the line. Instead, she invited me to share my own healing journey, training and study, and how it has informed my work, on National Blue Knot Day.

People had regularly asked me if I have blog or a website. As of today I do now. Trauma Informed World is a space where you can learn how to find safety and stabilisation. It is also a place where you can learn the basics for clarity. It is always a place where you can connect to remember that you belong. #YouBelong

It is time we shift from self-esteem (competition: more/less, never enough; aka a “Survival of the Fittest” mindset) to self-compassion: (collaboration: kindness, common humanity, mindfulness; aka “Enlightenment”, you are enough, #YouBelong). The greatest power is our shared awareness, compassion and purposeful action.

Since I was born in Australia, my primary focus includes supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the need for human rights and climate action, and trauma informed systemic changes that are culturally safe, in order to adequately change systems from within today to walk safely into the future together.

It is time for a trauma informed world.

Now you know the power of Trauma Informed Care. Let’s turn this framework into a mindset for personal, social and political change. If you are unable to, you might need help first, to get safe or become ‘unstuck’ from trauma. Reach out for trauma informed care. #YouBelong

With love,

Dr Louise Hansen
Psychologist
PhD in Psychology
Human Rights Activist

#HealingTrauma #Justice4Australia #YouBelong

Trauma Informed World was inspired by Kopika and Tharnicaa; two faces that remind us everyday of Australia’s cruel refugee system. One of many systems in Australia that remind us of the negative operation of power. #HomeToBilo

You can listen my talk with Dr Cathy Kezelman AM, President of Blue Knot Foundation on my own healing journey, training and study and how it has informed my work and advocacy for a trauma informed world here:

National Australia’s National Helplines and Websites:

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