You can listen to the audio of this talk at the links below: Full talk: https://soundcloud.com/perth-indymedia/trigger Full talk with Q and A: https://archive.org/details/TriggerWarnings This talk was recorded at the Institute for Critical Animal Studies Oceania 2015 Conference in Melbourne. You can find out more information about this conference here: http://www.criticalanimalstudies.org/conference-schedule/ You can find links to listen to other talks from the conference here: http://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2015/08/14/108/ Below is further information about the talk from the conference booklet, available here: http://www.criticalanimalstudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/2015-booklet-final-.pdf Getting trigger happy with trigger warnings: mental health, (dis)ability and activism: Trigger warning: Talk will include discussion of disability and mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and suicide. Will also include discussion of how other oppressed groups may be triggered i.e. through racism, queerphobia, sexism, etc. No detailed or graphic discussion of any of these issues. Ableism, discrimination against people with disabilities, is unfortunately commonly found in mainstream Australian society and in activist circles. Many Australians associate the word ‘disability’ with intellectual impairments such as Down’s syndrome, or with a physical and visible disability, which might require the use of a wheelchair. However, the leading form of disability in the world is depression. Other forms of mental illness are also very common, such as anxiety and substance abuse. Although anti-discrimination laws protect the rights of people with disabilities, much still needs to be done on public attitudes and awareness, particularly towards those who are often not viewed as having a ‘disability’. This paper will consider how animal rights activists and other advocacy groups can be more inclusive of people with disabilities, particularly mental health issues, through the use of trigger warnings, safe spaces policies, preventing activist “burn-out”, and making adjustments to working arrangements. Such policies are also applicable to those who may not have a disability, but may also be triggered by traumatic discussions, such as queer people, survivors of violence, Indigenous people, people of colour, and other groups that experience discrimination or trauma. As the advocates for progressive change in society, it is vital that animal activists and other groups have a thorough knowledge of disability issues, and use this knowledge to make real changes that are more inclusive of people with disabilities.

1. Getting trigger-
happy with
trigger warnings
Mental health, (dis)ability and
activism
Katie

2. Trigger warning
Talk will include discussion of disability and mental health
issues including depression, anxiety, and suicide. Will
also include discussion of how other oppressed groups
may be triggered i.e. through racism, queerphobia,
sexism, etc. No detailed or graphic discussion of any of
these issues.

3. About me
 My experience with physical and mental disability
 Diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety – 2006
 Diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome – 2012
 Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2008 and 2013 from
two separate instances of trauma
 Animal and human rights activist
 Experience working with people with mental illness or who have been
exposed to trauma, such as refugees
 As Youth Advisor to the Board of Amnesty International Australia,
initiated creation of their first Safer Spaces policy

4. Overview
 Terminology
 What is a disability and a (dis)ability?
 Mental health as a disability
 Why activists need to be aware of people with
disabilities and trauma:
 Safe spaces
 Trigger warnings
 Being inclusive
 Making adjustments to working arrangements
 Talk will focus particularly on mental health

5. Terminology
 Generally, the preferred term is “person with a disability”, not
“disabled person” (although some activists dislike this)
 i.e. “Person with Down syndrome”, not “Down syndrome person”.
 Some people use the term “able-bodied” to describe their
privilege as someone without a disability, however this is a
limited view of disability
 The phrases “person without a disability” or “non-disabled” cover
all types of disability
 Many insults in common use have an ableist origin and should
be avoided – obvious ones include “retard”, “crazy”, “mental”,
“insane” but others less obvious are “lame”, “idiot”, “moron”,
“dumb”, “stupid”, “imbecile,
 Phrases “blinded by..”, “turning a deaf ear”, “crippled by..”
 Some alternative words: ridiculous, obtuse, ignorant,
uneducated, boring, inane, pathetic, unbelievable, etc

6. What is a disability?
 Physical, intellectual or psychological
 Visible or not visible
 Note a person with disability may not be
aware of their disability
 Some are static, some change day-to-day,
some will come and go

7. What is (dis)ability?
 Some people prefer to see their impairment as an extra
ability, not a disability
 Some people with autism spectrum disorder have
extraordinary abilities in maths, art, music, etc
 My mental health issues and exposure to trauma give me
greater empathy i.e. connecting with other traumatised
animals, my desire to advocate for victims
 On the other hand, don’t dismiss the real suffering and
limitations that a disability can bring, i.e. with chronic
fatigue, can be confined to a bed for days

8. Mental health
 Depression is the leading cause of disability in the
world – World Health Organization
 More awareness of mental health now, but still a lot of
stigma
 Often not recognised as a disability by society
 Statistics vary, but between 25-50% of people will
experience a mental illness
 Many of you will have a mental illness, or have a loved
one with a mental illness
 The more you talk about your issues with others, the
more common you realise mental health issues are

9. Relevance to activism
 Particularly important for intersectional
activists to understand mental health
because:
 often deal with traumatic issues,
 can be exposed to trauma,
 work with those exposed to trauma, and
 need to set the best example of inclusivity for
society

10. Issues for activists
 Safe spaces
 Trigger warnings
 Being inclusive
 Making adjustments to working arrangements
 Preventing activist burn-out

11. Safe Spaces
 A place where anyone can relax and be fully self-
expressed, without fear of being made to feel
uncomfortable, unwelcome, or unsafe on account
of biological sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation,
gender identity or expression, cultural
background, age, or physical or mental ability; a
place where the rules guard each person's self-
respect and dignity and strongly encourage
everyone to respect others — Advocates for Youth

12. Criticism of trigger warnings and
safe spaces
 Even left-wing publications like the Guardian have
published articles critical of trigger warnings eg
they are “counterproductive” (Jill Filipovic)
 In her article, Trigger warnings are counter-
productive, Filipovic claims:
1. It stifles free discussion and challenging of ideas
2. It doesn’t empower survivors of violence
3. Some traumas are worthy of warnings, some aren’t
4. It makes women feel more vulnerable
5. University is a place for learning new ideas, and not
an appropriate place for trigger warnings

13. Myth busting
It stifles free
discussion and
challenging of ideas
The use of trigger warnings allows individuals to make
informed choices, to preserve their mental health. Very
triggering topics can be discussed and challenged, but in a
safe way, where people may opt out due to their trauma or
mental health capacity.
It doesn’t empower
survivors of
violence, who
should ask for
warnings directly
It is incredibly insensitive to expect a survivor of violence to
directly demand trigger warnings. Filipovic proposes that a
woman who has experienced sexual violence should
approach her lecturer and request warnings. I can not
imagine ever approaching any of my lecturers to discuss my
own experience of sexual violence.
Some traumas are
worthy of warnings
All oppression is interlinked. An intersectional approach does
not create a hierarchy of oppression.
It make women feel
more vulnerable
Trigger warnings are designed to protect vulnerable people.
Women, and others, are vulnerable in our sexist, racist,
homophobic society. It is better to provide protection than to
trigger trauma.
University is a place
for learning new
ideas, warnings are
inappropriate
Our society, including universities, should strive to be
inclusive of people with mental health issues and trauma.
Triggering ideas can be discussed in a way that is safe, and
that people consent to.

14. How to create safe spaces
 Set the ground rules for language, conduct and conflict
 The moderator should know the procedure for a breach
 Have at least one moderator, as well as grievance officers
 Use effective trigger warnings– will discuss in more detail later
 Safe spaces does not mean you have to stifle free speech, or
discussion of certain issues, it just means you need to make
spaces safe, and give people informed knowledge before they
consent to participating
 Avoid certain language, unless a trigger warning is in place
 i.e. say “sexual violence/assault” not “rape”
 Avoid extremely derogatory terms, even when quoting
another person. Instead say “the ‘n’ word” or “derogatory term
for gay person”, etc

15. It’s all about consent!
 As an anarchist, I centre my life around not forcing
choices onto to others – this includes not asking people to
speak and letting them self-identify
 Some people are extremely uncomfortable talking in
public, but they may still want to contribute, so consider
having contributions to a discussion written down on
paper during a forum, as well as taking feedback in
person
 Big groups can also be broken down into smaller group
discussions, which can make it easier for some people to
contribute
 Use the gender pronouns that that person chooses. If you
don’t know, refer to them by their name or use gender
neutral pronouns such as “they”

16. Empowering groups of people
 Ideally, if the session concern a certain group, the
moderator and speakers should be from that group, or
at least have experience working with that group
 If the topic concerns a particular group of people i.e.
people of colour, consider first asking for any
contributions from people of that group, to allow them
to have ownership of their space
 If certain people or groups are dominating discussion,
ask for others to contribute

17. Having your own space
 Consider the use of womyn-only forums, survivors-only forums,
etc if this seems appropriate in some cases
 Sometimes people need to speak freely without fear of an
oppressor, or the risk of offending others outside the group
 Men, heterosexuals, white people and others that might be
excluded from such discussions, should recognise that some
people need a place to feel safe and talk freely
 Womyn who are survivors of sexual violence, for example, may
have a fear of all men – even men who see themselves as
feminist allies
 So don’t be offended if you are excluded - sometimes it is
#allmen!

18. Be aware of yourself
 Men - avoid dominating discussion or talking over women
 Young people and elderly people are often ignored, so pay close
attention to how you interact with them
 Western people need to be extremely sensitive to people of other
cultural backgrounds – especially in regards to that culture’s use
of animals
 Avoid getting caught up in “white guilt” or going out of your way
to emphasise your own privilege – acknowledge it, but ultimately
leave it to that group to claim the space and discussion
 As Dr Cornell West said, “It’s not always about you white
people!”. The same applies to cis-gender people, men,
heterosexuals, etc

19. What are triggering topics?
 There is no definitive list, but it includes a
discussion of, or showing images of:
 Violence – domestic, physical, sexual, emotional
 Hate and discrimination on the basis of gender
identity, ethnic group, sexuality, disability, or any
other identity
 Abortion – especially anti-choice views
 Death, self-harm, suicide, miscarriages
 Any other issue related to trauma – car collision, war,
natural disasters, burglary, workplace bullying

20. Effective trigger warnings
 Trigger warnings must be effective
 This means they:
 mention the likely triggering topic, as well as whether there will be
a graphic discussion or images;
 precede the discussion; and
 give people the chance to avoid the session, or at least time to
leave the room - check they have left before starting
 If the conversation shifts to new triggering topics, the moderator, or
any person, can raise a new warning
 If you think you may be triggered, sitting near the back can make you
feel more comfortable leaving
 Bringing a book, or leaving with a friend can make it easier
 After the session, be careful about talking about triggering topics in
front of others who might have been upset about it

21. I don’t have a disability, what can
I do?
 Mental health first aid course
 Be sensitive: disability treatment might not fit with progressive views:
 Medication tested on animals
 Cultural appropriation with mindfulness meditation
 Use of guide dogs
 Read the facts – Beyond Blue website
 Encourage people to seek help – online, via a book, crisis line or GP
 Most people who get help do so because someone urged them to
 If your loved one is in a life-threatening situation, consider contacting:
 Mental health emergency response team in your state/territory
 A crisis helpline such as Beyond Blue or Lifeline
 The police (especially where they may be a risk to others)

22. Making adjustments to working
arrangements
 All these suggestions can be adapted to apply
to a working or volunteering arrangement
 People with disabilities have a right to request
reasonable adjustments and to negotiate
them with their employer
 For more information, see the website of the
Australian Human Rights Commission

23. Conclusion
 Be aware of your language
 Create safe spaces
 Educate yourself about what it is like to have
a disability or experience trauma
 Let the oppressed group speak for
themselves, and have their own space

24. Resources
 Safe Spaces: advocatesforyouth.org
 Avoiding ableist language:
autistichoya.com/p/ableist-words-and-terms-
to-avoid.html
 Mental health: beyondblue.org.au
 Concerned about discrimination?
humanrights.gov.au

25. Feeling depressed or concerned
about someone?
 Lifeline
 24/7 Crisis Line 13 11 14
 Online chat 7pm - 4am (AEST) 7 days
 Beyond blue
 24/7 Phone 1300 22 4636
 Web chat 3pm -12am (AEST) 7 days

26. Questions? Comments?