Health Talks about ABI in North Richmond
We went to North Richmond Community Health centre this week to talk about Acquired Brain Injury and its many causes. Overdose, due to lack of oxygen to the brain, is a major cause of brain injury. We like to educate people about that and always encourage people to carry Naloxone and be safe.
We talked about how the way people can be affected by ABI is often also criminalised - police might think we are under the influence because of the way we walk and talk. Or we might be short-tempered and impulsive, being seen as aggressive. There is a lot of education that needs to happen across the criminal justice system about the ways ABI affects our community.
We spoke to people who use the Medically Supervised Injecting Room service and we heard their stories. We have a lot of the same life experiences. We were happy to put on some lunch for them and share some of our videos, too.
The stories we heard were powerful and moving. When people come together in a group and are able to talk about some of their challenges in life, it helps everyone involved. It’s healing and empowering.
Thanks to North Richmond for welcoming us. The NRCH staff provide essential, life-saving, and wrap-around health support, as well as education, to many people in Melbourne. Thank you for all you do for our friends and everyone in Melbourne who benefits from your services.
Voices for Change with old and new friends at the MSIR, North Richmond Community Health centre
