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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Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world, with up to 150,000 Australians currently living w...
05/04/2026

Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world, with up to 150,000 Australians currently living with the condition. A new Australian study, the largest of its kind, with nearly 11,000 participants has shed light on how Parkinson’s symptoms and risk factors differ for men and women.

The research found that “invisible” non-motor symptoms are extremely common:
65% reported changes in memory and thinking
66% reported pain and dizziness
96% reported sleep disturbances.

It also highlighted important risk factors: 16% had a history of traumatic brain injury, 36% had pesticide exposure, and 33% had worked in high‑risk occupations such as agriculture or petrochemicals. Parkinson’s was 1.5 times more common in men, with women reporting more pain and falls, and men reporting more memory changes and impulsive behaviours.

At Synapse, we recognise the complex links between brain injury and Parkinson’s, and the impact of cognitive and “invisible” symptoms on everyday life. Studies like this help us move towards earlier identification, better support, and more personalised care for people living with Parkinson’s and brain injury.

Read the full study here:
https://www.miragenews.com/record-parkinsons-study-symptoms-vary-by-sex-1637197/

Happy Easter from Synapse!Our offices will be closed over the public holidays from Friday 3rd - Monday 6th April. We'll ...
01/04/2026

Happy Easter from Synapse!

Our offices will be closed over the public holidays from Friday 3rd - Monday 6th April. We'll be back to support you, Tuesday 7th April.

If you need support during this time, you can reach out to:
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Lifeline: 13 11 14

We wish everyone a safe and restful break.

April is Parkinson’s Awareness MonthA time to recognise the millions of people living with Parkinson’s disease and the f...
31/03/2026

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month

A time to recognise the millions of people living with Parkinson’s disease and the families who support them.

This month, we stand with the Parkinson’s community and continue our commitment to education, advocacy, and support for all people affected by neurological conditions and brain injury.

Let’s keep the conversation going and work toward a future with better care, better understanding, and better outcomes for brain health.

Are you living with a brain injury or caring for someone who is? 🧠Looking to connect with others who truly understand yo...
29/03/2026

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/

25/03/2026

💜 March 26 is Purple Day.
In 2026, we stand with the 1 in 26 people who will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime.
In this special reel, our Ambassador Elizabeth shares her lived experience of brain injury and epilepsy. Breaking down myths, explaining what seizures can really look like, and speaking honestly about the challenges and resilience that come with her journey.

Epilepsy doesn’t define a person. But understanding it can change lives.

This Purple Day, take a moment to listen, learn, and stand with those living with epilepsy. Awareness leads to acceptance. Acceptance leads to support.

Join Synapse Australia in raising awareness and showing that no one faces brain injury and epilepsy alone.

Living with brain injury often means carrying invisible challenges.It might be:- Concentrating through mental fatigue.- ...
23/03/2026

Living with brain injury often means carrying invisible challenges.
It might be:
- Concentrating through mental fatigue.
- Finding the right words mid-sentence.
- Managing sensory overload in everyday spaces.
- Remembering appointments without multiple reminders.
- Pushing through when your brain feels “full” long before the day is over.

To others, these moments can look small. But they aren’t.
If you’re living with brain injury, your quiet effort matters. The energy it takes to get through the day is real. The strategies you use, the patience you practise, the resilience you show, that’s strength.
We see you.
If you’d like to share, tell us: What felt hard this week that others wouldn’t notice? 💬

23/03/2026

💜 March is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and this Thursday is Purple Day! A day to shine a light on those living with epilepsy and related conditions.

We spoke with our Ambassador Elizabeth, who shared her journey living with both epilepsy and a brain injury.
As a young child, Elizabeth experienced absence seizures that faded over time. Doctors declared her seizure-free, until one day at age 12, after dance class, she experienced a seizure-related fall that resulted in a brain injury.
“We never really will know if I would have developed epilepsy or not,” Elizabeth shared, “but the fall didn’t help.”
Epilepsy and brain injury are closely linked. In fact, around one in five people with a severe brain injury will also develop epilepsy, and seizures themselves can sometimes cause further injury through falls.

💬 In the lead-up to Purple Day, we’ll be sharing Elizabeth’s advice and reflections on living with both epilepsy and brain injury. Stay tuned for her insights and words of encouragement in our stories.

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

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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