Grief is a natural human response to a loss throughout life. At some point, everyone is bound to experience loss at some stage throughout life. This can include, the death of a loved one which can be a particularly difficult and painful experience for some people.

The good news is, there are multiple support and grief assistance services available to assist you through your time of heartache and mourning. Grief support services can provide various treatment and support options including counselling, and support and guidance to bereaved or affected family members.

Whilst there are different levels of bereavement and loss, common triggers that can cause grief include:

• A separation, divorce or relationship breakdown within family.
• Loss of possessions or loved ones through disasters or accidents.
• Children leaving home.
• Relinquishment of children from the family home.
• Sudden and unexpected unemployment or retrenchment.
• Death of a pet or family member.
• Miscarriage, abortion or stillbirth of a child.
• The loss of a person that is missing for an extended period of time.

Support offered for dealing with loss and grief is available throughout most communities nation-wide and can commonly be first contacted through hospital and community care centres; palliative care agencies; volunteer groups and church and various religious organisations.

An important factor that should be considered when dealing with grief and loss, is how an event or loss has impacted children within the family home. Children can experience loss and grief from a very young age, although this may not always be easily recognised. Feelings of loss and grief in children may be triggered by the death of a parent or close relative, whether this has been anticipated or not; family separation; or the death of a much loved pet.

Kids helpline is an Australian initiative, providing confidential, free counselling 24 hours per day, for children and young adults from 5 too 25 years old. They can be contacted from anywhere in Australia for free on 1800 551 800.

Where to get additional help:

• Your doctor or local health care service.
• Hospital.
• A trained bereavement counsellor or psychologist.
• Nurse on call, Available 24 hours; 7 days on 1300 606 024.
• Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (Australia Wide) 1800 642 066.
• Life Line – Crisis support and suicide prevention services, 24 hours; 7 days 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline 24 hours; 7 days, 1800 551 800.
• Beyond blue helpline, 24 hours; 7 days, 1300 224 636.

This information is for general information only and should not be relied on in a medical or mental health emergency. If someone you know or are with is in immediate danger, please phone 000, or go too your nearest hospital emergency department.