In a world where information flows freely, we are often confronted with distressing stories of tragedy and suffering. Whether through news outlets, social media, or personal interactions, the human experience is filled with trauma. But what happens when we absorb these narratives, empathising deeply with the pain of others? This process, known as vicarious trauma or secondary trauma, can profoundly impact our emotional wellbeing, despite not directly experiencing it ourselves.  Understanding vicarious trauma Vicarious trauma isn’t merely about hearing or witnessing traumatic events, it is ..read more

Experiencing a significant loss can leave us feeling disoriented, especially when it comes to maintaining our well-being. Despite having once found solace and joy in positive routines, grief can disrupt our sense of normalcy. However, it’s possible to reconnect with these routines gradually, taking one step at a time until they become a source of comfort again.  What is E.A.S.T? The E.A.S.T. self-care guide offers a pathway to re-establishing healthy and positive routines, fostering a sense of balance, well-being, and mental resilience during times of grief.  The key to this approach ..read more

We often associate Christmas with joy and togetherness. However, for those navigating grief, this time can evoke a range of emotions and hurdles. Developed in collaboration with Griefline counsellor Bryan Petheram, this resource delves into honouring loved ones during the Christmas season amid grief. We explore various aspects of commemorating their memory during traditional celebrations, offering compassionate insights and practical strategies for navigating this time.  Redefining Christmas expectations  Remind ourselves that Christmas might feel and look very different. Ease pressu ..read more

Disclaimer: The content provided in this document is for informational purposes only. It has been developed to provide grief support information for family, carers and friends of people who have accessed voluntary assisted dying.  Additional resources have been provided at the end of this document for people seeking detailed information about voluntary assisted dying.  What is voluntary assisted dying? Voluntary assisted dying is the assistance provided by a health practitioner to a person with a terminal disease, illness or medical condition to end their life. It is sometimes called ..read more

Written by Griefline counsellor, Bryan Petheram Grief is our response to loss and can be experienced physically, emotionally and psychologically. Grief can be an individual journey and it doesn’t necessarily help to compare ourselves with others. For men however, there are common ways that we grieve. It can be important to examine your own grief style to see whether it is supporting you. Having sat with and worked alongside men who have experienced significant loss, I’ve observed a tendency for men to want to solve the problem of grief.  This is a reasonable and understandable “go-to” act ..read more

Ecological Grief is a term used to describe the emotional response people feel ‘in relation to experienced or anticipated ecological losses, including the loss of species, ecosystems, and meaningful landscapes due to acute or chronic environmental change’ Source: Ellis & Cunsolo Report, 2018.  People may experience ecological grief when they witness or learn about environmental events such as deforestation, habitat loss, the decline of certain species, and natural disasters such as floods, storms and bushfires. These events can tap into a vast array of emotions, including sadness, hel ..read more

First, a few simple tips… …for making it an open and supportive conversation once they’re ready to talk: Make space – ensure you have plenty of time for your friend  It’s not about you – position them and their experience as the focal point  Keep it simple – it’s ok for conversations to be brief  Be honest – it’s better to be truthful if you don’t know what to say or how to cope Be present – keep bringing yourself back to what they’re saying  Second, choose your support style Emotional support is often needed in the critical days and weeks right after the loss.  It ..read more

When it happens, many of us find ourselves thrown off-kilter… vulnerable to self-doubt, confusion, guilt.  Unable to make sense of it all, to remember who we are, what we’re good at and what’s good in our world.  And yet, these are the internal and external strengths that are often our greatest allies in grief recovery. So, what do you do when you’re confronted by grief and loss and feel utterly incapable of facing it?  Perhaps it’s time to rediscover your strengths –  the resources unique to you and your unique grief journey. A crash course in strengths-based grief recover ..read more

Having a co-pilot is recommended Often when grief and loss take over our life, we need extra support.  In fact, when embarking on any kind of grief work, it’s a good idea to seek the help of a health professional such as a counsellor or psychologist. They make a point of listening for and illuminating strengths and resources when clients are in crisis.  Take our Griefline volunteer counsellors, for example; their training and skills make them adept at drawing out Help-Seeker strengths in a single, anonymous phone call. According to Stoerkel, longer-term strengths-based therapy is a s ..read more

Written by Griefline counsellor, Bryan Petheram Grief is our response to loss and can be experienced physically, emotionally and psychologically. Grief can be an individual journey and it doesn’t necessarily help to compare ourselves with others. For men however, there are common ways that we grieve. It can be important to examine your own grief style to see whether it is supporting you. Having sat with and worked alongside men who have experienced significant loss, I’ve observed a tendency for men to want to solve the problem of grief.  This is a reasonable and understandable “go-to” act ..read more