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:
www.facebook.com/help/reportlinks/

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/

Recovery after brain injury doesn’t happen in isolation. Community matters.Support groups, services, and shared knowledg...
25/02/2026

Recovery after brain injury doesn’t happen in isolation. Community matters.
Support groups, services, and shared knowledge can reduce isolation, build confidence, and support long-term wellbeing for people living with brain injury, along with their families and carers.

Whether it’s gathering with others living with a brain injury, practical advice, advocacy, or culturally safe support, being connected can make a real difference. That’s why we have brought together options to help people find connection that works for them, at their own pace.

Explore ways to connect with peer support, services, and community near you on our website.
📞 Call 1800 673 074 or visit synapse.org.au to learn more.

Find this list with links to services at:
https://synapse.org.au/fact-sheet/community-makes-recovery-possible/

Synapse is proud to share an important research opportunity led by the University of Queensland exploring concussion and...
24/02/2026

Synapse is proud to share an important research opportunity led by the University of Queensland exploring concussion and its impacts. This study aims to deepen understanding, improve support, and inform better outcomes for individuals affected by concussion. If you or someone you know has experienced concussion, your involvement could help shape future care and resources. Learn more and consider taking part to contribute to this vital research.
Mind the Gap: Partnering with consumers to implement person-centred concussion management.

Have you experienced a concussion before and want to share your story?
Our University of Queensland research group, alongside a team of national concussion experts are seeking people with lived experience of concussion to help design a new tool to support recovery and make navigating care easier.
By sharing your experiences and ideas, you could help improve how concussion care is delivered.

Who is eligible?
- Adults, Adolescents or young adults (aged 16-24), and parents/ caregivers of children with lived experience of concussion.
- Has previous concussion or mild traumatic brain injury.

What is involved?
- 4 x 1-2 hour online meetings for co-design.
- Complete a short 15 min online survey.
- Optional: 1-2 extra meetings (1-2 hours) for prototype testing.

Where?
- Meetings will be held online.
- You will be compensated for your time.

If you live in Australia and are interested in this opportunity, please contact mindthegap@uq.edu.au. Reimbursement is provided for your time and expertise. Participation is voluntary, and submitting your details does not commit you to join the study.

Living with a brain injury often brings both love and grief.You may love your life, your relationships, or the progress ...
23/02/2026

Living with a brain injury often brings both love and grief.
You may love your life, your relationships, or the progress you’ve made, while also grieving the abilities, independence, or identity that changed after injury. This is a common and natural experience.
These feelings can exist at the same time. Feeling grief does not mean you are ungrateful. Feeling love or hope does not mean you are “over” the loss.
Understanding this can help reduce guilt and confusion. Living with brain injury is complex, and emotional recovery is not linear.
Both love and grief are valid parts of the journey.

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Synapse - Australia's Brain Injury Organisation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Synapse - Australia's Brain Injury Organisation:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category