Angels give trauma support

Doctor Ann O’Neil visited the region at the weekend offering community support in trauma recovery.

Dr O’Neil — a trauma recovery expert for more than 20 years — spoke with residents from Busselton, Margaret River, Cowara-mup and Karridale about post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and support options in light of the recent Osmington trage-dy.

She is also embarking on a Guinness World Record attempt for the biggest gathering of “angels” at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in late June to raise awareness of World PTSD Day.

Dr O’Neil is a trauma survivor with first-hand experience of the need to master trauma symptoms effectively. She foun-ded angelhands to offer programs for those recovering from trau-ma.

“We need to be thinking more of how to give and receive trauma-focused support,” she said.

“We wanted to do something both fun and meaningful that makes people start talking about such issues.

“Quite a few people from this community are coming, which is great, because we need 1500 to break the record.

Local schools can also make a difference by encouraging students to wear white hair bows or armbands on the day, with a gold coin donation made to angel-hands.

Tickets to the event on June 27 are $20 for adults and $10 for children, which includes everything participants need to wear.

The entry price will go towards further fundraising.