Navigating the challenges of living with the impacts of complex trauma is a journey that extends far beyond the emotional, and the challenges are further amplified by the relentless rise in the cost of living we’re currently experiencing.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, living costs for employee households jumped by 2.0 per cent in the September 2023 quarter – that’s faster than the 1.5 per cent rise we saw in June. The cost of living for Australian workers is skyrocketing, and it’s hitting hard. The reality is that many people going into 2024, some not employed and are already struggling just to be okay, are facing housing insecurity, financial hardship and rising food prices bills.
But for those grappling with the daily effects of complex trauma, the struggle is unique, often silent, and undeniably tougher.
Living with complex trauma
For many people living with the impacts of complex trauma, the New Year is anything but happy.
More than a quarter of Australian adults live with the legacy of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation experienced at some, often many times and stages of their life.
Despite how common experiences of complex trauma are, we, as a society often don’t acknowledge or recognise it. We naively expect adults to just get on with it but without the tools and support, it can be far from easy. The burden of complex trauma for many and accompanying emotional distress, chronic ill-health, interpersonal difficulties and barriers to education, self-realisation and stable employment fuel the already whirring cycle of economic hardship. Economic hardship in turn is a significant additional stressor which, for a person whose nervous system is already reeling from the impacts of traumatic stress, can exacerbate it further.
The combination of financial worries and the psychological effects of trauma can create a vicious cycle which demands a safety net of support, compassion and understanding. We know that economic hardship often leads to unstable housing, job insecurity, welfare dependency and limited access to optimal care. For survivors who are already isolated, alone, reluctant to reach out and seek help, these challenges can further complicate the process of recovery. Both complex trauma and economic hardship are associated with an increased risk of mental health issues, common ones including depression, anxiety, and others which carry a raft of diagnostic labels, including Complex PTSD.
The coexistence of these challenges can contribute to the severity and complexity of mental health struggles. Many survivors benefit from a raft of mental health support including Telehealth support, therapy and counselling, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-informed yoga, body work and so forth – all of which come at a cost. With living expenses on the rise, for many who struggle to trust, feel safe and seek support in the first place, their human right for suitable care and support is denied, often with the basics of dental and medical care going by the wayside as well.
Economic stressors can also strain relationships with friends, families and communities. Many people with complex trauma have fractured relationships, especially if they experienced violence or abuse within the family. With challenges establishing and maintaining relationships, the added pressure from economic hardship may exacerbate existing relational difficulties and hinder the formation of supportive social networks.
The impact of the rising cost of living hits survivors hard. As many survivors already feel disconnected from others, facing their challenges in silence and shame, can make the daily realities of cost of living pressures so much harder.
So, how can we, as a society, help?
Greater understanding of the realities survivors face everyday and the compounding dynamics of economic hardship are key to forging a more compassionate and empathetic society. Together, we can erode the judgement which sabotages healing, and provide the safety and support survivors need to heal from their trauma and weather the economic storm.
Raise awareness and reduce stigma: Let’s spread the word about complex trauma and its long-term effects. Educate the wider community about the unique challenges survivors face, break down the stigma, and foster acceptance and empathy. A more clued-in and caring society is more able to be present to support survivors.
Advocate for a trauma-informed community: It’s time for us all to embrace one another’s humanity within a community which understands the particular sensitivities and vulnerabilities of trauma survivors – in workplaces, healthcare, and education. In that way, we can create spaces that are safe and supportive and foster the hope and connection needed for healing.
Support organisations empowering complex trauma survivors: Stand with organisations committed to empowering survivors of complex trauma, through support, belonging and resources. The importance of a safe place to land, a space in which survivors feel seen, heard and believed and in which they can acquire the tools and strategies needed to cope.
For supporters, these organisations create safe spaces for family, friends, and loved ones to access the necessary support and tools to accompany those in their lives who are healing from the impacts of violence and abuse.
Through this collective effort, we can create a trauma-informed world in which we are real and acknowledge each other’s humanity, and stressors including the compounding impacts of the rising cost of living.