GRIEF SUPPORT SERVICES

The Family Services Team offers a variety of grief support services to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child from conception onwards.  These services are provided free of charge.

Counselling

The SIDS and Kids WA Family Services team provides individual, couple and group counselling for adults, and individual and group counselling for siblings from the ages of three to twelve.  Appointments may be made by ringing (08) 9474 3544 during office hours.

The Team:

Geoff Paull

Counselling Psychologist

PhD, Bachelor of Science (Psychology)

Family and Relationships Counsellor and Lifeskills Coach

Judi Nolte

Counsellor

Master of Health Counselling

Grad Dip Nursing (Family and Child Health)

RN RM PICN Cert BN

Family and Relationships Counsellor and Play Therapist

Crisis Intervention

Counsellors and a team of trained volunteers are available to attend parents and families at the time a baby or child dies suddenly and unexpectedly.  This service is available in the Perth metropolitan area, and in some country areas.  We will always, however, endeavour to provide immediate support to newly bereaved families in all rural areas.

Support for baby/child loss, or for a visit from a support counsellor/parent in hospital or at home, can be sought on

(08) 9474 3544, or 1800 686 780, our 24 hour phone support line.\

Support Meetings

SIDS and Kids WA coordinates and facilitates self-help support groups for parents and family members.  In an informal atmosphere, these regular support meetings provide bereaved people with an opportunity to share their experiences and to support one another.  If you would like to know more about these group meetings please contact the office, or click on the link below for the current calendar of support meetings:

• General Support Meetings
• Country Support Meetings
• Men's Grief Group
• Craft/Coffee/Chocolate Mornings
• Healing Mermories/Scrapbooking Album
• Just for Kids Group

Group Support Meetings 2007

Peer Support

Trained parent volunteers are relied upon to assist with the delivery of support services.  Parents who have experienced the sudden and unexpected loss of a baby or child from conception to twelve years of age are actively involved in providing emotional support to newly bereaved families. This statewide service provides valuable empathy and understanding to newly bereaved parents and family members.  After hours, the parent volunteers maintain the 24 hour 1800 686 780 phone support line.

Country Support Meetings and Contacts:

MANDURAH            Helen               9535 6855              1st Thursday of every 

                                                                                          month

ALBANY                 Michelle           9841 7496              3rd Wednesday of    

                                                                                         every month

                               Tracey             9844 8523  

BUNBURY               Jacqui             9797 1020

                                Anne               9725 4313     

BUSSELTON           Debbie             9721 1982

                                Sarah              9754 6699

ESPERANCE            Therese          9072 0705

                                Gabby             0409 088 584

GERALDTON           Sue                 9921 3281

KALGOORLIE          Naomi            0413 551 065

TOM PRICE             Kathryn          9188 1463                  Meetings held as

                                                                                            needed

Resources

A variety of books, articles and videos relating to different aspects of grief, including information on coping with grief, is available in the SIDS and Kids WA library located at 33, Sixth Avenue, Kensington.  All may be borrowed by bereaved parents, family and friends.

The following three booklets are available as .pdf files, and may be downloaded and printed, or viewed online.  However, please note that these booklets were produced by the Stillbirth and Neo-Natal Death Support Group prior to its amalgamation with SIDS, and the contact details in the booklets are no longer correct.  For more information please contact the SIDS and Kids WA office on (08) 9474 3544.

Miscarriage - A Handbook for bereaved parents, their families and friends, following miscarriage

A Baby Has Died - A Handbook for bereaved parents, their families and friends, following miscarriage, stillbirth or neo-natal death

For Family and Friends - after a baby has died

Newsletter

SIDS and Kids WA produces its own support-oriented newsletter entitled "Between Friends".  This newsletter is produced three times a year to coincide with Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, and Christmas.  Parents and family members are encouraged to contribute personal stories and poems.  Copies of back-issues are available from the office.

Click on the link below to access the latest edition of "Between Friends" in .pdf format.  You will need Adobe Reader to view this file, and this can be downloaded free of charge from the Adobe website.

To download Adobe Reader, click on the link below:

Grief Education

SIDS and Kids WA also provides grief education and training to health professionals.

How to access SIDS and Kids WA support services

Telephone:        Administration

                        (08) 9474 3544 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday to Friday

                        Country Callers

                        1800 199 466

                        24 Hour Peer Support Line

                        1800 686 780

Email:               perth@sidsandkids.org

Address:           33 Sixth Avenue, KENSINGTON 6151