In this special edition podcast in Dari, STARTTS Senior Clinician/Clinical Trainer, Nooria Mehraby, MD, addresses Afghan parents across NSW. In this podcast, Nooria provides: 

• An introduction to STARTTS services
• An outline of some common symptoms of acute stress and retraumatisation
• Advice on how parents can get some relief from their symptoms while adhering to COVID-19 restrictions in NSW
• Tips on how parents can support the wellbeing of their children and adolescents during the crisis in Afghanistan and COVID-19 restrictions
• Suggestions on how to avoid exposure to graphic content amongst children and young people
• Guidance to parents who are concerned about their children falling behind with their schoolwork
• Warning signs to look out for in themselves and in their children that indicate the need to seek professional support
• Contact details for STARTTS, RACS (Refugee Advice & Casework Service), TIS, Kids Helpline, Lifeline and 000.

Nooria is a senior clinician and clinical trainer at STARTTS.  Herself a former refugee, Nooria has more than 30 years experience working with refugees both overseas and here in Australia. This includes over 25 years experience at STARTTS. Nooria first trained as a medical doctor in her native Afghanistan and later obtained a Master of Counselling with Distinction in Australia. Her particular interest is in developing cross-cultural therapeutic interventions with refugees, especially with Muslim clients. In 2015 she was the recipient of Australian Muslim Professional of the Year Award.