Parent & Guardian Grief Resources
Listed below are relevant organisations we have found that we hope can be of some support to you. They are broken down into National or State depending on their reach. If you have received assistance from an external resource not listed that you found helpful we would love to hear about it. Maybe we can add it to our list for others in the future. Let us know here.
National Grief Support Organisation
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
Provides specialist bereavement services throughout Australia for individuals and families including support programs for both children and adults involving face to face counselling and support groups. Telephone & online counselling available by appointment for remote areas.
P:1800 642 066
Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network
The network aims to promote understanding of child and adolescent trauma, loss, and grief and has webinars and other information to support your ability to assist young people.
W:https://earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au
P:02 5124 8726
Bears of Hope
Support for families who experience the loss of their baby through pregnancy, birth, or infancy. They offer phone counselling, free parent led grief wellness groups attended by a qualified psychologist throughout Australia and a wealth of literature to help you or your family through your grief.
W:https://www.bearsofhope.org.au
P:1300 11 HOPE (1300 114 673)
Beyond Blue
Learn more about anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention, or talk through your concerns with their phone or online support service.
W:https://www.beyondblue.org.au
P:1300 11 HOPE (1300 114 673)
First Light Widowed Association
A not-for-profit charity that connects young widowed people from all backgrounds and relationship structures to resources, programs and a community that will support them.
W:https://www.firstlight.org.au
P:Please connect via email (mail@firstlight.org.au) or their website
Griefline
P:1300 845 745
Kids Helpline
Free and available 24 hours a day telephone and online counselling service for young people ages 5 to 25.There is also helpful information for parents and caregivers to assist with the care of their grieving children.
W:https://kidshelpline.com.au/
P:1800 55 1800
Lifeline
Provides all Australians experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide with access to free online, phone and face-to-face crisis support and suicide prevention services.
P:13 11 14
Marie Alessi: Loving Life After Loss
“Loving Life after Loss” is for people who have experienced Loss in any way! We urge you not to compare any form of Loss. This space is designed to catch you when you fall, a place that promotes Positivity, Hope, Love & Happiness after adversity.
The National Centre for Childhood Grief
Specialising in childhood grief, they offer counselling and support for children and teens from 3-18 years of age and information resources for parents and caregivers. In person and online counselling available.
W:https://www.childhoodgrief.org.au
P:1300 654 556
Penthos
Penthos is a mental health organisation that offers free specialist couple therapy to parents who are grieving the loss a child up to the age of 25. The loss of a child through unsuccessful IVF, miscarriage, suicide, still birth, illness or accident has a significant impact on the couple relationship.
P:0416 341 005
Red Nose
Offers counselling and support services, support groups, online forum, information, and 24-hour bereavement support line for families who have experienced the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or child, during birth, pregnancy or infancy regardless of the cause.
P:1300 308 307
Stand By Support After Suicide
Working in most areas in Australia, they partner with local organisations and engaging their expertise to provide locally tailored community workshops and education programs are provided to increase awareness of suicide and suicide bereavement to help enable communities to support one another.
W:https://standbysupport.com.au
P:Check their contact us page for local support partners in your area.
Suicide Call Back Service
Australian wide service that provides professional telephone and online counselling 24 hours a day to people affected by suicide. Support provided for people over the age of 15.
W:https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
P:1300 659 467
ACT
The Compassionate Friends ACT & Queanbeyan
Provides support to bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents after the loss of a child of any age through peer support groups (including informal lunches, talks, annual weekend gatherings & remembrance ceremonies). They also have a library of books and pamphlets on a range of topics.
W:https://compassionatefriendsact.org
P:0491 137 818
NSW
Be Centre
While it’s relatively new in Australia, Play Therapy is increasingly being recognised as one of the most effective forms of therapy for children aged 3-12. As one of the largest specialist Play Therapy centres in the world, Be Centre is proud to be leading the way in making Play Therapy accessible to kids in Australia – transforming countless lives along the way.
W:https://www.becentre.org.au/
P:02 9913 7000
Compassionate Friends NSW
Provides support to bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents after the loss of a child of any age through peer support groups (including informal lunches, talks, annual weekend gatherings & remembrance ceremonies). They have established “phone a compassionate friend”, offering numbers so you can have a chat to somebody who will understand your grief.
P:1800 671 621
The National Association for Loss and Grief
Telephone peer support for adults in NSW. There is also the opportunity to attend support groups, education programs for children and young people (6-13) and workshops on specific difficulties faced by grieving people.
P:(02) 6882 9222
NT
Mental Health Association of Central Australia
A community based, non-profit mental health organisation providing psychosocial support services, NDIS support coordination, individual and group-based supports, educational and training programs. Our drop-in centre offers a comfortable environment to catch up informally with others.
P:(08) 8950 4600
QLD
Compassionate Friends QLD
Providing peer support to bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents after the loss of a child of any age. They offer a 24-hour telephone help line as well as online and in person support meetings that provide the opportunity to talk to another parent who has experienced the loss of a child. They have a quarterly newsletter and hold regular events to support families and commemorate the children they have lost.
W:https://www.compassionatefriendsqld.org.au
P:(07) 3254 2585
Paradise Kids
Counselling and support groups for children and their families affected by grief. They have a number of different programs at a small cost (concession rate available) for young children and teens.
P:(07) 5625 1900
SA
Compassionate Friends SA
The Compassionate Friends (SA) Inc. offers friendship and understanding to parents, grandparents and siblings following the death of a child at any age and from any cause.
W:https://compassionatefriendssa.org.au
P:0456 820 133
TAS
Compassionate Friends VIC (TCFV)
Although physically based in Victoria, their support also reaches Tasmania. They provide 24 hour a day peer support for anybody experiencing the loss of a child or sibling of any age, and from any type of death, support and social groups, a time out program providing low cost accommodation for people needing a break from the grief and stress of everyday living. They also have a large library of support materials and information for further education.
W:https://www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au/
P:1300 064 068 (24/7 grief support) or (03) 9888 4944 (general enquiries)
Road Trauma Support (Tasmania)
Offers a free counselling service for anybody who have been involved in, or affected by a road crash. Services are available in person or over the phone. They also have the ability to provide information on community services or other appropriate assistance you can access.
W:https://roadtraumasupport.org.au
P:(03) 6777 6252 or 0427 487 251 (SMS Welcome)
VIC
Compassionate Friends VIC
Provides 24 hour a day peer support for anybody experiencing the loss of a child or sibling of any age, and from any type of death, support and social groups, a time out program providing low cost accommodation for people needing a break from the grief and stress of everyday living. They also have a large library of support materials and information for further education.
W:https://www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au
P:1300 064 068 (24/7 grief support) or (03) 9888 4944 (general enquiries)
Hope Bereavement Care
Based in Geelong and supporting the areas around the Barwon South West region, this not for profit charity offers bereavement counselling, support groups and information resources specifically for those impacted by the sudden or unexpected death of an adult, the death of a child from conception to age 18 and those grieving a loss through suicide.
W:https://www.bereavement.org.au
P:(03) 4215 3358
Support After Suicide
Provides support via personal counselling, group support programs for parents, partners, siblings, adult children, and men and also runs children’s workshops and activities for teens. This program is run through the Jesuit Social Services.
W:https://www.supportaftersuicide.org.au
P:(03) 9421 7640
Very Special Kids
Cares for children with life-threatening conditions by providing a children’s hospice and professional family support services. There is ongoing support from diagnosis all the way through to recovery or bereavement.
P:1800 888 875
WA
Compassionate Friends WA
An international non-religious group who give peer support to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents who have had a child, sibling or grandchild pass away. They promote healing to foster physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
W:http://www.compassionatefriendswa.org.au
P:(08) 6107 6288
The Grief Centre of Western
Offering low cost grief counselling, support groups, education and training workshops, and support services for those grieving any kind of loss. They also offer spiritual healing services such as reiki & meditation to partner with their other services.
W:https://www.griefcentrewa.org.au
P:0404 658 052
Solace Grief Support
Supporting those grieving the death of their spouse, partner or fiancé through peer support groups, walking, dinner & café groups. Also available is specialized support for younger widows & widowers & literature to use including personal stories, fact sheets and newsletters.
W:https://solacegriefsupportwa.org.au
P:0488 991 084
Educational Resource Sites
Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network
The network aims to promote understanding of child and adolescent trauma (including bullying, abuse, foster care & adoption), loss, and grief and has webinars and other information to support your ability to assist young people.
Bereavement Care Network – Tasmania
Broken down into regions, they offer a directory of available services covering everything from palliative care through to assistance with funeral services and emotional help during and after your loss.
Grieflink
An educational website providing the opportunity to learn more about your grief and the journey you are on. Based in South Australia, some of the information is local – but there is a lot of general information for anybody outside of that area.
My Grief Assist
Information factsheets and resources for the bereaved.
Postvention Australia
Provides information and support for individuals, families and communities who are bereaved by suicide. There is information about local support groups and lots of educational reading material.