Synapse - Australia's Brain Injury Organisation

Synapse - Australia's Brain Injury Organisation Synapse provides information, knowledge, resources, training and different support services for people living with or impacted by brain injury and disability.

Synapse’s mission is to ensure the rights of people impacted by brain injury, connecting knowledge, policy, services, and systems. Synapse focuses on both government and public support to realise funding for the development of specialist services nationally. Synapse’s commitment to reducing the massive unmet need for services and support in Australia is unwavering. The team at Synapse are resolute in seeing specialist and individualised services available to all in need, no matter where they live or which culture they belong to. Glad to have you here on Synapse Australia's official page, a hub for news, insights, and conversations. We're here for you from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, public holidays aside. We're committed to keeping this platform safe and respectful. Posts that cross the line into offensive or defamatory territory will be removed. Likewise, any advertising material will also be deleted. And remember, let's keep our language clean and respectful. We're here to create a supportive environment for those living with brain injuries and their caretakers, offering a place to seek advice and support. To that end, any misleading or unhelpful comments won't have a place here. Remember, the views expressed by individuals on this page are their own and do not reflect the official stance of Synapse Australia. Facebook has Community Standards for people and communities using Facebook. If you do want to report something inappropriate or abusive that you experience on Facebook, please use the report link near the post, photo or comment to report it to Facebook. For more information on how to report inappropriate activity please visit:
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Today is National Close the Gap Day.Held each year on the third Thursday of March, this day of action calls on all of us...
18/03/2026

Today is National Close the Gap Day.

Held each year on the third Thursday of March, this day of action calls on all of us to support health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Right now, there remains an almost 10-year gap in life expectancy. That’s not just a statistic, it reflects real lives, families and communities impacted by inequitable access to healthcare, culturally unsafe systems, and under-resourced services.

Closing the Gap requires more than words. It requires:
• Genuine partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Sustainable, long-term funding
• Culturally safe, community-led care
• Accountability to the targets that have been set

At Synapse, we recognise that brain injury prevention, rehabilitation and support must be culturally responsive and community-informed. Equity in health means ensuring services are accessible, respectful and designed alongside the people they serve.
Closing the gap is everyone’s responsibility.

"All brain injury survivors engage in some form of physical rehabilitation… But there’s one critical piece that often ge...
17/03/2026

"All brain injury survivors engage in some form of physical rehabilitation… But there’s one critical piece that often gets left behind: our emotional state. Emotions like grief, frustration, anxiety, fear, and even guilt are a natural part of recovery… Addressing them can unlock deeper healing and better outcomes." - Scott

Brain injury recovery is often measured in what can be seen - walking, speaking, returning to work. But emotional recovery is just as real, and just as important.

Grief, frustration, anxiety, fear, and guilt aren’t signs of failure. They’re natural responses to profound change. When emotional wellbeing is acknowledged and supported, survivors are better equipped to heal, adapt, and move forward.

Every brain injury is different and recovery needs to support the whole person.

Read Scott’s full story: https://synapse.org.au/personal-story/scotts-journey/

It's Brain Awareness Week! 16–22 March 2026 🧠Brain Awareness Week is a chance to learn why brain health matters and how ...
15/03/2026

It's Brain Awareness Week! 16–22 March 2026 🧠

Brain Awareness Week is a chance to learn why brain health matters and how brain diseases, disorders, and injuries affect millions of Australians.
Brain health is important at every stage of life. Taking small, proactive steps can help support your brain, reduce risk, and recognise changes earlier.
This year, the Brain Foundation is hosting a series of free live webinars with experts (Monday to Friday).

These sessions are a great opportunity to:
✔️ Learn about brain health and different brain conditions
✔️ Hear directly from experts
✔️ Ask questions and be part of the conversation

Find out more and register:
https://brainfoundation.org.au/brain-awareness-week/
Join the conversation and take a step toward better brain health.

World Sleep Day: Sleep Well, Live Better 😴If you are living with brain injury, sleep is not just important, it is essent...
12/03/2026

World Sleep Day: Sleep Well, Live Better 😴
If you are living with brain injury, sleep is not just important, it is essential for your recovery and wellbeing.

Sleep helps with:
🧠 Brain recovery
💬 Memory and concentration
🙂 Mood and emotional balance
⚡ Energy during the day

Many people with brain injury experience:
- Trouble falling asleep
- Waking up often during the night
- Feeling tired even after resting

If you are living with brain injury and struggling with sleep, know that you are not alone and support is available. Small changes, the right strategies, and professional guidance can make a meaningful difference.

11/03/2026

🧠 Brain Quiz Time!
Which of the following is one important role of sleep for the brain?
Answer: B: It helps consolidate memories and learning.

Your brain doesn’t “switch off” when you sleep, it goes into filing mode.
During deep sleep, it replays what you learned during the day, moving memories from the hippocampus (short‑term storage) into the neocortex, where they become more stable and long‑term. This replay strengthens important connections between brain cells, helping you remember what matters and learn more effectively after a good night’s sleep.

Understanding how the brain works helps us better understand brain injury and ourselves.
Follow Synapse for more brain facts, insights, and practical support.

Injury Awareness

We’re excited to share that Synapse will be attending the Moreton Bay Community Disability Expo!🎉📅 11 March⏰ 10am–1pm📍 M...
08/03/2026

We’re excited to share that Synapse will be attending the Moreton Bay Community Disability Expo!🎉

📅 11 March
⏰ 10am–1pm
📍 Morayfield Sports & Events Centre (Morayfield Park Leisure Centre)

Come and meet our team, explore our services, and connect with others in the local disability community. We’d love to see you there!

Learn more about the event and get your ticket here:
https://events.humanitix.com/moreton-bay-community-disability-expo

This International Women’s Day, we’re embracing the theme “Give To Gain.”Progress toward gender equality isn’t created b...
06/03/2026

This International Women’s Day, we’re embracing the theme “Give To Gain.”
Progress toward gender equality isn’t created by intention alone, it’s built through what we actively give. When we share our time, advocacy, mentorship, opportunities, and support, we multiply impact. When women thrive, we all rise.
Gender equality is not the responsibility of women alone. It requires collective action, from allies, leaders, teams, and communities working together.

As we mark IWD 2026, we invited some of our staff to reflect:
What is one meaningful way you can “Give To Gain” this year to support the advancement of women in our community?

These were their responses.

"People saying that I looked “so normal” would hurt me deeply. It was one of the hardest things I have had to deal with ...
05/03/2026

"People saying that I looked “so normal” would hurt me deeply. It was one of the hardest things I have had to deal with in my life. Going from being a compassionate person to not being compassionate about anything was huge for me!" - Tanya

When you’re living with a brain injury, one of the hardest things to hear is, “But you look so normal.”
What people don’t see:
- The mental fatigue from simple tasks
- The personality shifts you didn’t choose
- The loss of the version of you that once felt effortless
- The grief of not feeling like yourself

Being told you “look fine” can feel invalidating. It can make you question your own experience. Brain injury changes more than what’s visible.

If you’ve gone from being deeply compassionate, energetic, sharp, or patient… to feeling numb, overwhelmed, or disconnected, you are not broken. You are adapting to something life-altering.

To everyone navigating this quiet battle:
Your struggle is real.
Your grief is valid.
And you deserve support, even if others can’t see the injury.

Drop a 💛 if this resonates, or share to remind someone they’re not alone.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women who care for loved ones living with brain injury.Acros...
03/03/2026

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women who care for loved ones living with brain injury.
Across Australia, women make up 70% of all carers, providing billions of hours of unpaid care each year. Their work is skilled, emotional, and essential, yet often unseen.
Caring for someone with brain injury can be lifelong and life-changing. These women balance appointments, therapies, emotions, and advocacy, often at the cost of their own careers and wellbeing.
This year we honour their strength, resilience, and love and call for real action to ensure carers get the support they deserve.
Recognising women carers is not just the right thing to do; it is vital for families, communities, and our future.
💬 Tag a carer you want to celebrate.

We’re pleased to share that Synapse will attending the Brain Injury – Flourish and Thrive Expo this month.Date: Friday, ...
03/03/2026

We’re pleased to share that Synapse will attending the Brain Injury – Flourish and Thrive Expo this month.

Date: Friday, 20 March 2026
Time: 9:00am–1:00pm
Location: Narangba Community Hall, QLD
Get your FREE ticket: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1530733?qr=true&qr=true

This fantastic Brisbane community event brings together people living with brain injury, families, and support networks with a wide range of services, supports, and organisations. If you’re attending, come and say hello to our team, learn more about the work we do, and explore the resources and supports available. We look forward to connecting with you and being part of a day focused on helping people flourish and thrive.

This event is hosted by

03/03/2026

After suffering a traumatic brain injury in a violent assault, Gary is now sharing the reality of living with a hidden disability and proving that the brain can adapt, rebuild and recover. He’s heading to the US to tell his story and inspire others with what’s possible after brain injury.

Our CEO, Adam Schickerling, spoke with WIN News Riverina about the broader social issues connected to brain injury, issues that often go unrecognised and undiagnosed.
“Many of the broader social issues in our country are very closely connected to brain injury but not well recognised, and often people are just not diagnosed to begin with.”
“42% of men and 35% of women entering prison have a diagnosis of brain injury.”

Brain injury is more common than many realise and too often misunderstood.
If you would like more information about Synapse and the services we provide, contact us on 1800 673 074 or visit Synapse.org.au.

Are you living with a brain injury or caring for someone who is? 🧠Looking to connect with others who truly understand yo...
26/02/2026

Are you living with a brain injury or caring for someone who is? 🧠
Looking to connect with others who truly understand your challenges and celebrate your wins?
Our monthly Reconnections support groups are a great place to find community and support, meeting across:
🟠 NSW
🟠 QLD
🟠 WA

See all events here: https://synapse.org.au/events/

Address

Level 1, 262 Montague Road
West End, QLD
4101

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611800673074

Website

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