Finding support
We encourage you to reach out and seek support for grief. We hope you find these resources useful to assist you in your personal experience of grief and loss. They are a starting point, and by listing support services, we are not personally endorsing any organisations and do not take any responsibility for the quality of care they provide. In emergencies, call 000.
In our petition calling for a royal commission into the pandemic response, we note the lack of grief support and mental health support following the sudden death of a loved one, particularly during a three and a half month lockdown, and we will continue to advocate for this to change.
Encouraging the development of ‘grief-informed’ communities with more grief support services available is something we feel passionately about. If you know of a helpful grief support service, group or community, please contact us.
In regards to the tragic loss of our Katie, you might be interested to learn about the term ‘disenfranchised grief’ which is common in the COVID-19 global pandemic:
“Kenneth Doka first formally introduced the notion of disenfranchised grief in 1989 and defined it as the process in which the loss is felt as not being “openly acknowledged, socially validated, or publicly mourned” (1989, p. xv). This experience of grief might pose difficulties in terms of emotional processing and expression, as one may not recognize his/her right to grieve, and in terms of social support, by diminishing the opportunity to freely express their emotions, and to obtain expressions of compassion and support”
– Read more.
Services & podcasts
Lifeline
13 11 14 – 24/7 Crisis support
“About this service:
- Short-term support for people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe
- confidential one-to-one support with a trained Lifeline telephone crisis supporter
What we do during the call
- Listen without judgment
- Provide a safe space to discuss your needs, worries or concerns
- Work with you to explore options for support”
Griefline
1300 845 745 – 6am – midnight (AEST)
“We are the frontline first and ongoing responders to grief for hundreds of Australians every day.
By being present for you in a safe space, we help you find courage through your grief and discover hope and healing after loss.
In addition to our national toll-free helpline, our website offers grief and loss information and support resources, including online forums and wellbeing practices, and the opportunity to connect through our weekly check-in call service.” – Read more.
Visit Griefline
Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636 – available 24/7
“Give us a call any time of the day or night – select from the voice menu or simply hold on the line to talk with a counsellor.
We’ll be there to offer brief support, provide information and advice, and point you in the right direction so you can get the help you need for the cost of a local call (could be more from mobiles).”
Visit Beyond Blue – Grief & Loss
Katie Lees 