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Grief


Support and information

A range of services are available to support you and your family and friends after someone has died.

Useful contacts

Carer services

Carer Gateway
1800 422 737

Practical information, resources and counselling for carers.

CarerHelp

Information for people caring for someone at end of life.
Young Carers Network Support for young people under 25 caring for a family member or friend.
Counselling and support services
Australian Psychological Society Use the “Find a Psychologist” search to look for someone in your area.
Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
24-hour telephone counselling service; online and email counselling available 7 days a week.
Canteen
1800 835 932
Supports young people aged 12–25 affected by their own or a close family member’s cancer diagnosis.
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800
Telephone and online counselling service and crisis support for young people aged 5–25.
Lifeline 13 11 14 24-hour telephone crisis support and suicide prevention service.
Redkite
1800 592 410
Offers financial, emotional and educational support for people with cancer aged up to 18, as well as their families and networks.
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
24-hour telephone and online counselling for people affected by suicide.
Grief-specific services
Feel the Magic
1300 602 465
In person and online camps and grief resources for kids aged 7–18 after the death of a parent, guardian or sibling.
Resources for people experiencing grief.
1300 845 745
Telephone and online counselling service and support groups for all Australians who have experienced a loss.
GriefLink Online information for the bereaved and grieving, carers, friends and colleagues.
Red Nose Grief and Loss
1300 308 307
Online and telephone support for anyone affected by the death of a baby or child.
The Compassionate Friends Australia
1300 064 068
24-hour grief telephone support, YouTube channel, support groups, online information, one-on-one peer support.

 

Question checklist

Asking your health professionals questions can help you find the right support. You may want to include some of the questions below in your own list.

Questions for your doctors

  • How do I know if what I’m feeling is a typical reaction?
  • How can I cope with grief? How long does it last?
  • When should I think about getting professional support?
  • Where can I get help for how I am feeling?
  • How can I support my children who are grieving?
  • People keep pressuring me to move on. Do I have to?
  • I’m having trouble sleeping.

Can you help with that?

  • How can I find a professional counsellor or psychologist?
  • How can I connect with other people who are grieving? Should I join a bereavement support group?
  • Are there any complementary therapies you think might help me? Questions for your psychologist, counsellor or other mental health professional • What type of therapy do you recommend?
  • How long will the therapy last?
  • What will the session cost? Can the cost be reduced if I can’t afford it?
  • Who can I call after hours if I need immediate emotional support?
  • Should I consider medicines to support my emotional health?
  • Can you recommend any books I can read on grief and loss?
  • Are there any apps, podcasts or online programs that might be helpful?

 

Understanding Grief

Download our Understanding Grief booklet to learn more

Download now  Order for free

Expert content reviewers:

A/Prof Lisa Beatty, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology and Consulting Clinical Psychologist, Flinders University Institute of Mental Health and Wellbeing, SA; Sandra Anderson, Consumer; Dr Alexandra Clinch, Palliative Medicine Specialist and Deputy Director, Palliative Care, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC; Christopher Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Grief Australia; Nathan MacArthur, Specialist Grief Counsellor and Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Sydney Grief Counselling Services, NSW; Linda Magann, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Palliative Care, St George Hospital, NSW; Palliative Care Australia; Richard Upton, Consumer; Lesley Woods, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA

Page last updated:

The information on this webpage was adapted from Understanding Grief (2023 edition). This webpage was last updated in November 2023.

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