Bereavement support

Grief and bereavement support

Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, it also has physical, behavioral and social dimensions. Common to human experience is the death of a loved one, whether it be their friend, family, or other close to them. While the terms are often used interchangeably, bereavement often refers to the state of loss, and grief as the reaction to loss.

Bereavement, while a normal part of life for us all, carries a degree of risk when limited support is available. Severe reactions to loss may carry over into familial relations and cause trauma for children, spouses and any other family members. Many forms of what we term 'mental illness' have loss as their root, but are covered by many years and circumstances this often goes unnoticed. Issues of personal faith and beliefs may also face challenge, as bereaved persons reassess personal definitions in the face of great pain. While many who grieve are able to work through their loss independently, accessing additional support from bereavement professionals may promote the process of healing. Individual counselling, professional support groups or educational classes, and peer-led support groups are primary resources available to the bereaved (from Wikipedia).

Bereavement – postvention support

Suicide represents a tragic waste of life and touches scores of other lives – family, friends, peers and colleagues. All of these people need support immediately following the suicide and often for a significant period afterward. Those bereaved by suicide are themselves at increased risk of suicidal behaviours. Postvention is a critical point of prevention and can contain further loss of life and also needs to include the immediate community, first responders to suicide and professionals.

Bereavement Support - Australia (National Bereavement Reference Group)

In August 2005, the National Bereavement Reference Group (NBRG) was established to oversee the development of a nationally coordinated approach to suicide bereavement activities. A priority for the NBRG was the commissioning of research to review, analyse and consolidate the most appropriate methods, models and service delivery options for nationally coordinated suicide bereavement activities – the National Activities on Suicide Bereavement Project.

For further information, go to http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-suicide-projects

Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement is an independent, not for profit organisation which opened in January 1996 and is the largest provider of grief and bereavement education in Australia. Registered as a public benevolent institution the Centre receives operational funding through the state palliative care program of the Victorian Department of Human Services.

Its mission is to build the capacity of individuals, organisations and communities in order to enhance well-being following adverse life events. The Centre is a statewide service which is located alongside the McCulloch House Palliative Care Unit at Monash Medical Centre. In 2006 the Centre was appointed by the Victorian Department of Human Services as the statewide specialist bereavement service. For further information visit www.grief.org.au

Suicide Prevention Australia

Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) aims to facilitate collaboration and continuing improvements in suicide prevention and the promotion of a community that values people and quality of life. SPA is currently working to develop partnerships across and between sectors, organisations and individuals to promote continuing improvement in suicide prevention; and continues to bring people together to share and learn through the SPA National Conference and other relevant conferences and forums.

Australian National Council on Drugs

The Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) is the principal advisory body to Government on drug policy and plays a critical role in ensuring the voice of the community is heard in relation to drug related policies and strategies. Membership of the ANCD includes people with a wide range of experience and expertise on various aspects of drug policy, such as treatment, rehabilitation, education, family counselling, law enforcement, research and work at the coalface in community organisations. For further information visit www.ancd.org.au or phone 02 6279 1650.

Alcohol and Other Drugs Council

The Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) is the peak, national, non-government organisation representing the interests of the Australian alcohol and other drugs sector, providing a national voice for people working to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs. ADCA works collaboratively with the government, non-government, business and community sectors to promote evidence-based, socially just, approaches aimed at preventing or reducing the health, economic and social harm caused by alcohol and other drugs to individuals, families, communities and the nation. For further information visit www.adca.org.au or phone 02 6281 0686.

Mental Health Council of Australia

The Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) is the peak, national non-government organisation representing and promoting the interests of the Australian mental health sector, committed to achieving better mental health for all Australians. For further inofrmation visit www.mhca.org.au or phone 02 6285 3100.

ORYGEN

ORYGEN is a unique organisation made up of a specialist youth mental health service, a research centre and a range of education, training, advocacy and health promotion activities. The overall goal of ORYGEN is to integrate knowledge gained from clinical practice and research activities to implement, and advocate for, high quality mental health services for young people in the western region of Melbourne. For further information visit www.orygen.org.au or phone 03 9342 2800.

Auseinet

The Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health (Auseinet) works with governments and organisations across many sectors to support change in Australia’s mental health policy and practice. We develop, collect and disseminate information on

• Promotion of mental health,
• Prevention of mental disorder,
• Early Intervention in mental illness (PPEI), and
• Suicide Prevention.

For further information visit www.auseinet.com or phone 08 8201 7670.

Lifeforce

Wesley LifeForce is a suicide prevention program aiming to educate, empower and resource Australian communities to be aware of the issues of suicide. For further information visit www.wesleymission.org.au or phone 02 9263 5555 or 1800 021 821.

Reach Out

Reach Out! is a web-based service that inspires young people to help themselves through tough times. The aim of the service is to improve young people’s mental health and well being by providing support information and referrals in a format that appeals to young people.

Reach Out! is an initiative of the Inspire Foundation (www.inspire.org.au). The mission of the Inspire Foundation is to create opportunities for young people aged 16-25 to change their world. By "their world", we mean whatever is real for them. This could be struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, wanting to do something for their local community or simply experiencing new ways to learn and grow.

Suicide Safety Network

Established in October 1999, the aim of the Suicide Safety Network is to:

• Formalise the links between organisations and individuals who are involved in reducing the incidence of suicide in the Sutherland Shire
• Ensure effective communication and avoid duplication, by providing a unified and co-ordinated approach to suicide prevention, post-vention and related service provision.
• Facilitate a better understanding of local service provision.
• Collate and maintain accurate data relating to the incidence of suicide in the Sutherland Shire.
• Assist with the strengthening of local service provision.
• Act as a source of referral for individuals and families experiencing bereavement.

The network is a non-profit organisation comprised of representatives from Department of Health, Sutherland Shire Council, Police, Church groups, Department of Education, Department of Community Services, Welfare Organisations, Funeral companies as well as community members. For further information visit www.suicidesafetynetwork.org.au or phone 02 9540 7474.

General – other groups of interest

• http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Oasis/6831/ Survivors of Suicide Bereavement Support Association Inc. This is a Queensland organization with a wide variety of bereavement resources, including information for employers, the language of sympathy, and others. Resources are $5 per booklet.
• http://www.spinz.org.nz/page.php?p=27 A New Zealand information and support site, with a link on support after a suicide.
• http://healingafterloss.org/halo/sos.html Loved Ones Suicide Survivors. This is a blog for people who have lost loved ones to suicide.
• http://thegiftofkeith.org/ This excellent website was created by the parents of a suicide. They offer help, resources, and advice, and go through their experience of shock and grief.
• http://www.compassionatefriends.org/ This is an American not-for-profit organization that offers support for grieving parents.