March 5 marks Dissociative Identity Disorder Awareness Day and this year 3CR brought an afternoon of informative conversations on trauma and dissociation.
Survivors of severe childhood trauma, living with dissociative disorders have been cruelly dehumanised and misrepresented, for many decades in media and medical systems. Whilst struggling to survive and live with the legacies of their traumas.
Listen to survivors, advocates and activists bringing you honest perspectives on these issues.
CONTENT WARNING: Please be aware that this broadcast featured conversations that touched on domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, organised abuse, genocide, state violence, physical assualt, mental illness/health, suicide, self-harm, problematic medical systems, ableism, drug and alcohol use. Please reach out to the following services if you need assistance:
General Lines:
★ Lifeline: 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
First Peoples support:
★ 13YARN: 13 92 76 | 13yarn.org.au
Yarning Safe'n'Strong: 1800 959 563
VIC Counselling (Social/Emotional, Financial, Drug/Alcohol, & Medical/COVID related)
Mental Health:
★ Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467 | suicidecallbackservice.org.au
★ SuicideLine Victoria: 1300 651 251 | suicideline.org.au
(VIC) Crisis Support
★ Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 | beyondblue.org.au
★ MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78 | mensline.org.au
★ Headspace | headspace.org.au
Youth National Mental Health Support - NOT a Crisis Service
Sexual Assault/Violence:
★ 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 | 1800respect.org.au
(Domestic, family, or sexual violence) support
★ Safe Steps 1800 015 188 | safesteps.org.au
(VIC) Family Violence Crisis Support
★ FullStop Australia: 1800 385 578 | fullstop.org.au
★ Blue Knot Foundation: 1300 657 380 | blueknot.org.au
Trauma Specialist Counselling
Alcohol & other Drugs:
★ DirectLine:1800 888 236 | directline.org.au
(VIC) Drug & Alcohol Counselling
★ Turning Point: 1800 250 015 | turningpoint.org.au
Queer:
★ QLife: 1800 184 527 | qlife.org.au
3PM-midnight, 7 days (issues affecting LGBTIQ+ people & loved ones)
★ Rainbow Door: 1800 729 367 (SMS 0480 017 246) | switchboard.org.au
(VIC) 10AM-5PM, 7 days
★ Queerspace: 03 9663 6733 I queerspace.org.au
(VIC) 9AM-5PM, Mon-Fri
2025 Dissociative Identity Disorder Awareness Day Original Broadcast: The original broadcast aired on the March 5, 2025. The broadcast begins with a conversation with Dr Kathy Kezelman of the Blue Knot Foundation on complex trauma, dissociation and dissociative identity disorder. Part two of the broadcast features Keiran Stewart-Asherton, host of 3CR's yillamin, talking about first nations mental health issues and how a decolonised society is a healthy and safe society. Finally part three of the broadcast is a conversation between Amy Aednat Ciara (Kill Your Lawn and Kick Your Fence) and Jasmine Mclennan (Brainwaves) on their experiences as workers with complex mental health conditions and the stigma they face in the workplace.
Dr Kathy Kezelman of the Blueknot Foundation Extended
Amy and Jasmine in conversation with Dr Kathy Kezelman of the Blue Knot Foundation. The conversation begins with a discussion on what is complex trauma, dissociation and DID. Following this they discuss the unique issues facing people living with these conditions and the stigma they face. This includes the work of the Blue Knot Foundations work with people who are incarcerated.
Keiran Stewart Asherton on First Nations Trauma and Decolonisation
Listen to Keiran Stewart-Asherton, host of 3CR's yillamin, talk about first nations mental health issues and how a decolonised society is a healthy and safe society. Keiran is an activist with Black Peoples Union and a trained psychologist who has worked with other first nations people in prisons, first nations youth, disadvantaged youth and as a telehealth councillor.
Mad Workers with Amy and Jasmine
Amy and Jasmine return in conversation with each other on their experiences as workers with complex mental health conditions and the stigma they face in the workplace. They open the conversation with how society values people by their ability to work over their value as a human being and the problems with the waged system for people with complex mental health. Following this they chat about the unique super powers that come with their mental health conditions and then finish up on the stigma perpetuated by the mainstream media.
