The theme of Brain Injury Awareness Week 2025 is ‘Invisible disabilities deserve visible change.’ Aiming to raise awareness of how the ‘invisible disability’ of brain injury intersects with issues of domestic and family violence, justice, homelessness, and beyond – while providing a roadmap to meaningful change for those living with a brain injury.  

An injury to the brain isn’t seen. The scar, bruising, or head wound may heal – but the devastating impacts of a brain injury will remain. Invisible symptoms like memory loss, irritability, pain, and impulsiveness start to bleed into everyday life. Leaving the person with a life-long, invisible disability.  

As symptoms of a brain injury increase, people can become vulnerable to hardship. They can face discrimination and fall through the cracks, as they may struggle to hold a job or maintain housing.  

Many people might not know their brain is injured. They may be victims of an assault, car accident, drug overdose, domestic and family violence, or been exposed to alcohol or drugs during pregnancy. A concussion, blow to the head, or period of unconsciousness is now impacting the way they think, feel, and act. 

Misunderstood by those around them, people with a brain injury can find themselves homeless or incarcerated. Where they suffer at the hands of service systems that don’t screen for or recognise their disability and are ill-equipped to meet their needs. Without appropriate rehabilitation, people may feel isolated, misunderstood, and struggle with decision-making. This can contribute to repeated interactions with the justice system. 

They deserve better. Their invisible disability deserves visible change! 

This is the theme of Brain Injury Awareness Week 2025. The week aims to raise awareness of how the ‘invisible disability’ of brain injury intersects with issues of domestic and family violence, justice, homelessness, and beyond. By raising awareness of these issues, we can break down the current barriers in our systems to create meaningful change for those with a brain injury. 

This Brain Injury Awareness Week, Synapse is calling for visible change.