Our featured service this month is Griefline, a free phone support line for adults experiencing grief and loss, or older Australians seeking a sense of support and belonging.

Their aim is to normalise grief by reducing stigma, support and educate individuals and communities on the diverse impacts of grief, and build supportive communities. Griefline is staffed by trained volunteers to provide compassionate telephone support year-round. Through their website people can access online, moderated peer support forums, peer support groups delivered over videoconferencing, and a range of support resources including tools, wellbeing practices and coping strategies.

Griefline has been accredited under the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards, as well as being recognised as a trusted information partner with healthdirect Australia

Griefline aims to support all Australians aged over 18 years going through grief and loss, and people supporting someone else experiencing grief. This includes:

• People experiencing the loss of a pet.
• People who have lost their home, business or livelihood.
• People feeling isolated or alone in their loss.
• People experiencing isolation and loneliness due to the loss of a loved one or connection with their family or community.
• People supporting a recently bereaved friend or family member.
• People experiencing a relationship breakup.
• People experiencing a sense of grief after their own or a loved one’s health diagnosis.
• People grieving the loss experienced due to natural disasters.
• People grieving due to children moving out of home.
• People grieving a miscarriage or inability to conceive.

Griefline offers a range of services and resources for people experiencing grief and loss including:

• A national telephone helpline providing grief and loss support for adults aged 18+.
• Callback service where trained volunteers can call people at a time of their choosing for support.
• Online, moderated, peer discussion forums for people to connect with others facing similar experiences, share stories, emotions and coping strategies.
• Online bereavement support groups lead by professional grief counsellors, to support people coping with the death of a loved one in a group environment.
• Grief and loss resource hub offering information and guidance on various aspects related to grief and loss.
• A Griefline training program for organisations and individuals to enhance their awareness and understanding of how grief and loss affect mental health and wellbeing.

Griefline also offers integrated grief programs providing 1-to-1 telephone and video counselling and support sessions for adults impacted by death. This is only available in Victoria and New South Wales for people referred by Victoria Police, referred by a health practitioner or who have registered to participate through the Griefline website.

Health practitioners can refer to Griefline when a patient shows signs of unresolved grief, emotional distress after loss, or social isolation, especially if they’re not ready or able to engage with formal mental health services. Referrals can be made by sharing Griefline’s phone number or website directly with the person, or in NSW and Victoria, by using the integrated program referral pathway. Practitioners may also suggest Griefline as a follow-up resource after delivering a difficult diagnosis or supporting a recently bereaved patient.

Griefline’s telephone support, online forums, support groups and online resources are all free to access.

The Griefline training program organisations and individuals is fee for service initiative and not a grief support service.

The Griefline telephone support line is available by calling 1300 845 745 between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week (AEST/AEDT).

The support line offers callback if requested. The Griefline online forums, peer support groups and support resources are available through the Griefline website, https://griefline.org.au/.

Griefline’s approach to addressing grief and social isolation is evidence-based and  underpinned by thorough research and adheres to recommendations from the World Health Organization.

The Cairnmillar Institute in Australia is currently engaging in a comprehensive evaluation of Griefline’s bereavement counselling services. Preliminary findings demonstrate a notable reduction in distress among participants, underlining the effectiveness of such interventions.