After the loss of your spouse it can be difficult to search for help, however there are a large number of organisations throughout Australia that can offer you support. First Light Widowed Association provides these resources and links for information purposes only. This does not constitute an endorsement or an approval by First Light Widowed Association of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation, organisation or individual.
Queensland
A guide for family and friends, created by the Queensland Government.
Caloundra Living Beyond Suicide Support Group
Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 10am.
Phone: (07) 5409 4995 or 0407 766 961
Cancer Council Queensland Counselling Service
Free telephone and Skype Based Service. Call to speak with an information and Support Co-ordinator who can refer you into the Cancer Counselling Service.
Phone: 131120
Counselling services throughout Queensland for issues including grief and loss.
Phone: (07) 3250 4305
For anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide at any stage in their grief.
Phone: 0413 121 512
Email: [email protected]
Ipswich Lifeline Suicide Bereavement Peer Support Group
The suicide bereavement support group provides a confidential, non-judgemental and compassionate setting where participants are able to give and receive support.
Phone: (07) 3816 9610
Email: [email protected]
Information and support pack for those bereaved by suicide or sudden loss
This project was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing as part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Leukaemia Foundation Queensland
Free support to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one through blood cancer. The also hold grief support seminars and grief support brunches.
Phone: (07) 3055 8233
Email [email protected]
Life Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Bereavement Support Group
The group is facilitated by trained counsellors including an Aboriginal person well known and accepted throughout Far North Queensland. Meeting are held in Cairns every three weeks.
Phone: 0459 299 147
Lifeline's Responding to Issues of Suicide program - Cooloola Region
Assisting people in the Cooloola region to be aware of the issues surrounding suicide and offering support to survivors of suicide.
Phone: (07) 5480 3400
Mackay Survivors of Suicide Bereavement Support Association (SOSBSA)
For anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide at any stage in their grief.
Phone: 0430 186 149
Email: [email protected]
Mackwood Life is a family and community support service. Services offered include: counselling, family and community education, grief and loss support, KATS ( Kids and Their Sadness) outreach to children in grief, play therapy and sand tray therapy effective in counselling children. Located in Dutton Park, Brisbane.
Phone: (07) 3844 8715
Counselling and support groups for children affected by grief and their families.
Phone: (07) 5574 6853 (Gold Coast)
Phone: (07) 3847 9943 (Brisbane)
Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group
Provide a range of support services to people affected by the death of a loved one by homicide.
Phone: 1800 774 744
Counselling for individuals, couples and families at a range of centres across Queensland. They also provide a telephone counselling service to people who are unable to access a branch office.
Phone: 1300 364277
Standby Suicide Response
A Suicide Bereavement Response Service that provides a 24-hour coordinated community crisis response to families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide.
Brisbane - Phone: 0438 150 180
North Queensland - Phone: 0459 299 147 or (07) 4050 4955 during business hours
Mount Isa - 0408 839 711
Sunshine Coast - Phone: 0407 766 961
Wide Bay Burnett - Phone: (07) 4121 0860 or 0427 748 729
Suicide Bereavement Support Group - Cairns
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm.
Phone: (07) 4045 2955 or 0407 695 891
Email: [email protected]
Suicide Bereavement Support Group - Mt Gravatt, Brisbane
Peer facilitated meetings held 7.30pm every second Friday.
Phone: 1300 767 022
Townsville Bereaved by Suicide Support Group
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month.
Phone: 07 4447 7198 or 07 4723 5607
Uniting Care eight-week suicide bereavement program
This eight-week professionally facilitated psycho-educational group, based in Brisbane, provides information about suicide, guidance, support and contact with others who have experienced a similar loss. The groups are free, usually small and meet once a week for eight sessions at Chermside or Fortitude Valley.
Phone: (07) 3624 2400
Uniting Care monthly suicide bereavement support group
Monthly peer support group held in central Brisbane.
Phone: (07) 3624 2400
Victim Assist Queensland
Information and referral services for victims of crime and their families. They can also provide information on financial assistance that may be used for grief counselling and funeral expenses.
Phone: 1300 546 587
Whitsundays Survivors of Suicide Bereavement Support Association (SOSBSA)
Meetings are held in Airlie Beach on the first Saturday of each month.
Phone: 0412 448 805
Email: [email protected]
New South Wales
After Suicide Support Group (ASSG) Clarence
ASSG provide telephone support or face to face meetings for individuals or groups in Grafton.
Phone: 0419 421 066
Email: [email protected]
Ashby Heights Suicide Bereaved Support Group of Maclean
This group meets on the first Friday of each month.
Email: [email protected]
Bereaved by Suicide Centre for Intense Grief Therapy
Group programs, located at the Lower North Shore. There is a fee for services.
Phone: 0414 721 653
Cancer Council New South Wales
Call the Cancer Council on13 11 20 to ask about suitable support groups and peer support programs in your area.
Phone: 13 11 20
Phone: (02) 8584 7777
ETC Suicide Bereavement Support - The Salvation Army
First Floor Program, located in Wollongong. Peer support is also available for those in the early stages of loss to suicide.
Phone: 4229 1079 or 0411 143 586
Email: [email protected]
Good Grief provides programs for children, young people and adults challenged by loss and change. They offer a suite of programs and resources developed to support children, young people and adults to understand and manage change, loss and grief in their lives.
Phone: (02) 8912 2700
Email: [email protected]
Gordon Suicide Bereavement Support Group
This support group meets on the second Thursday of each month in Gordon.
Phone: 0402 053 692
Email: [email protected]
Information and support pack for those bereaved by suicide or sudden loss
This project was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing as part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Kempsey Support After Suicide Group
Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday evening of the month, from February to November.
Phone: 02 6581 2800
Email: [email protected]
Kirrawee - Southern Community Welfare
Southern Community Welfare offer six free sessions of counselling to anyone bereaved by suicide, at any stage of bereavement.
Phone: (02) 9545 0299
Email: [email protected]
Leukaemia Foundation Grief Support
Phone: (02) 9902 2222
Lifeline Central Coast
Bereaved by Suicide Support Group, located in Wyoming.
Phone: (02) 4323 6105
Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury
Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury offers a monthly support group for those bereaved by suicide. The meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month in Gordon.
Phone: (02) 9498 8805
Lifeline Marcarthur Suicide Bereavement Support Group
Two groups, located in Narellan and Smeaten Grange
Phone: 02 4645 7200
Email: [email protected]
Lifeline Northern Beaches Inc Suicide Bereavement Support Group - Narrabeen
The group aims to provide a safe and confidential environment of trust for people to share their experiences and support each other. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday each month.
Phone: (02) 9949 5522
Email: [email protected]
Lifeline Northern Beaches Suicide Bereavement Support Group - Balgowlah
This group meets in Balgowlah on the first Tuesday of each month.
Phone: (02) 9949 5522
Email: [email protected]
Lifeline Northern Rivers Support After Suicide Group
Lifeline Northern Rivers runs an annual closed support group, located in Lismore, to assist those who have experienced their loss by suicide for at least three months.
Phone: 02 6622 4133
Email: [email protected]
National Association of Loss And Grief (NALAG) - Centre for Loss and Grief
A not-for-profit organisation with centres and branches in Dubbo (Head Office), Mudgee, Mid North Coast, Bellingen/Nambucca Shires and Sydney (Telephone) providing free loss and grief support to those who are grieving. The NALAG Centre also provides quality professional education and training in the area of loss, grief and bereavement.
Phone: (02) 6882 9222
Email: [email protected]
Newcastle SOS Support Group
This Survivors of Suicide support group meets on the first Wednesday evening of each month and offers support and networking for those who have lost a family member, friend or partner to suicide. This group is supported by Lifeline Newcastle and Hunter.
Phone: (02) 4940 2000
Orange - Suicide support group
This group provides a safe and caring environment for those bereaved by suicide to share their experience and knowledge. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7pm.
Phone: 0438 700 609
Email: [email protected]
Port Stephens SOS Support GroupLocation
This Survivors of Suicide support group meets on the fourth Monday of each month.
Phone: (02) 4940 2000
Counselling for individuals, couples and families at a range of centres across New South Wales. They also provide a telephone counselling service to people who are unable to access a branch office.
Phone: 1300 364 277
Service NSW offers detailed, concise information on what to do in the event of losing someone close to you. This includes providing a checklist of NSW Government agencies to notify, information on how to organise a funeral and advice on what to do when someone you know has suffered a loss. They can also provide support and counselling referrals and referrals to organisations to assist if a person needs financial assistance.
Phone: 13 77 88
Standby Suicide Response - Lismore
A Suicide Bereavement Response Service that provides a 24-hour coordinated community crisis response to families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide.
Phone: 0417 119 298
Support After Suicide - Port Macquarie
Open group held on the fourth Wednesday of the month from February to November. From time to time they may also offer a closed group.
Phone: (02) 6581 2800
Support After Suicide - Sutherland Shire
Group meets the third Tuesday of every month.
Phone: (02) 9545 0299 or 0412 522 140
Support After Suicide Group - Wagga Wagga
Monthly support group.
Phone: (02) 6922 4438 or (02) 6922 5520
Sydney Support After Suicide Group
Support group, hosted by the Department of Forensic Medicine, held in Burwood, on the first Tuesday of each month.
Phone: (02) 8584 7800
Western Sydney Suicide Prevention & Support Network
Located at Penrith, meeting held the second Wednesday each month.
Phone: 0402 627 696
ACT
The ACT Coronial Counselling Service
The ACT Coronial Counselling Service provides free support and counselling to anyone affected by a death being investigated by the ACT Coroners Court.
Phone: (02) 6122 7191
Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network
The Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network (ACATLGN) brings together resources and research in order to make them more accessible to those working with, or interested in, children and young people who have been affected by trauma and grief.
Phone: (02) 62443500
Email: [email protected]
Canberra After Suicide Support
Canberra After Suicide Support (CASS) is a self-help group organised by people who have experienced the suicide of someone close. CASS assists people bereaved by suicide by providing information about suicide bereavement and opportunities for them to meet others.
Phone: 0421 725 180
Canberra StandBy Response Service
StandBy is a Suicide Bereavement Response Service that provides a 24-hour coordinated community crisis response to families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The Canberra StandBy service is run by SupportLink and covers the ACT.
Phone: 0421 725 180
EveryMan offers counselling for men living in the ACT and region, their partners and families.
Phone: (02) 6230 6999
Information and support pack for those bereaved by suicide or sudden loss
This project was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing as part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
National Association for Loss and Grief ACT
Phone: (02) 6292 6847
Counselling for individuals, couples and families within the ACT. They also provide a telephone counselling service to people who are unable to access a branch office.
Phone: 1300 364 277
Standby Response Service
The StandBy Response Service is a community-based suicide postvention program that provides a coordinated response of support and assistance for people who have been bereaved through suicide.
Phone: 0421 725 180
Victoria
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB) provides a range of bereavement counselling and support services.
Phone: (03) 9265 2100
Email: [email protected]
Coronial services Victoria
Phone: 1300 309 519
Geelong After Suicide Support Group
Support for any person who has experienced the death of a loved one by suicide.
Phone: 03 5222 4101
Hope Bereavement Care - Geelong
Hope Bereavement Care provides free bereavement support to any person in the greater Geelong region impacted by the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one, including a spouse.
Phone: 03 4215 3358
Information and support pack for those bereaved by suicide or sudden loss
This project was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing as part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Loddon Mallee StandBy Response Service - Bendigo
StandBy is a Suicide Bereavement Response Service that provides a 24-hour coordinated community crisis response to families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide. The Loddon Mallee StandBy service is run by the Bendigo Community Health Service.
Phone: 0439 173 310
Confidential counselling for individuals, children and families.
Phone: 1300 364 277
Road Trauma Support Services Victoria
Free counselling and support for people impacted by road trauma.
Phone: 1300 367 797
Email: [email protected]
Free counselling and group programs in Richmond, Lalor, Ferntree Gully, Dandenong, Frankston and Melbourne CBD. This organisation also offers counselling by phone or Skype to people living interstate and in rural areas.
Phone: 03 9421 7640
Community based grief support for parentally bereaved children. Based in Geelong, Victoria.
Phone: 0499 966 228
Email: [email protected]
Tasmania
Coronial services Tasmania
A counselling, information, and support service is provided by experienced Social Workers
Phone: (03) 6233 6202 (Hobart)
Phone: (03) 6336 2808 (Launceston)
Huon Community Health Centre - Grief/Loss Support Group
Phone: (03) 6264 8850
Information and support pack for those bereaved by suicide or sudden loss
This project was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing as part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Palliative Care Bereavement Service
Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmanian Government
Bereavement support can be provided to the family and others who have a close relationship with the palliative care client registered with the Palliative Care Service.
Phone:1300 135 513
Confidential counselling for individuals, children and families.
Phone: 1300 364 277
Free confidential, supportive counselling service for those affected by road trauma.
Phone: (03) 6777 6252 or 0427 487 251
StandBy Response Service
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide.
Phone: 0439 556 660 (Devonport)
Email: [email protected]
South Australia
Anglicare (SA) Loss and Grief Centre
Specialised loss and grief counselling service for people of all ages who are bereaved or experiencing other types of loss.
Phone: 08 8131 3400
Email: [email protected]
Anglicare SA Loss and Grief Star Bear Program
Free weekend camps for bereaved children and young people.
Ph: (08) 8305 9200
Barossa Valley Solace
Barossa Valley Solace provides grief counselling and monthly get togethers for widowed people.
Phone: (08) 85623858
Email: [email protected]
Bereaved Through Suicide Support Group - Adelaide
Support services for people who have lost a relative, friend or colleague through suicide.
Phone: 0468 440 287
Email: [email protected]
CAMHS – Flinders Medical Centre, Division of Mental Health
Free and confidential counselling service for children up to 18 years of age and their families. Services are provided by child, adolescent and family specialists including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, who are experienced in helping children with emotional, psychiatric, behavioural or social difficulties.
Phone:
Morphett Vale: (08) 8326 1234
Port Adelaide: (08) 8341 1222
Elizabeth: (08) 8252 0133
Paradise: (08) 8207 8999
Oaklands Park: (08) 7425 8600
Website:
Port Adelaide: www.sahealth.sa.gov.au
Elizabeth: www.wch.sa.gov.au
Paradise: www.wch.sa.gov.au
Morphett ValeL: www.wch.sa.gov.au
Email:
Morphett Vale: [email protected]
Port Adelaide: [email protected]
Elizabeth: [email protected]
Paradise: [email protected]
Individual and group counselling service for those confronted by loss and grief
Phone: (08) 8210 8200
Email: [email protected]
Coronial services South Australia
A counselling, information, and support service is provided by experienced Social Workers
Phone: (08) 8204 0600
Email: [email protected]
Country North SA StandBy Response Service
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide.
Phone: 0438 728 644 (Port Augusta)
Phone: 0437 752 458 (Mt Gambier)
Good Grief Counselling Service
Affordable grief and loss counselling for people in the Spencer Gulf region.
Phone: 0422 177 705
Homicide Victim Support Group
A support group for the families and friends of homicide victims.
Phone: 0423 411 055 or 0428 475 618
Email: [email protected]
Information and support pack for those bereaved by suicide or sudden loss
This project was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing as part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Kangaroo Island Health Service
Grief and loss counselling by a social worker and community health nurse.
Phone: 08 8553 4231
Living Beyond Suicide (Anglicare SA)
Emotional and practical support for those bereaved through suicide.
Phone: 1300 76 11 93 (call costs 27.5 cents) between 10am-10pm
Email: [email protected]
Confidential counselling for individuals, children and families.
Phone: 1300 364 277 or 1800 182 325
Road Trauma Support Team of South Australia
The Road Trauma Support Team of South Australia provides free counselling and support for people who have been affected by road trauma, whether directly or indirectly.
Phone: 1800 069 528 or 0400 705 066
Southern Primary Health – Noarlunga (Noarlunga Health Services)
Community health services offering counselling services.
Phone: 08 8164 9111
Email: [email protected]
Victim Support Service of South Australia
Support and counselling services for people who have suffered as a result of a criminal offence.
Phone: (08) 8231 5626
Country Free Toll: 1800 182 368
Email: [email protected]
Western Australia
ARBOR stands for Active Response Bereavement Outreach. Based in Perth, it offers short-medium term counselling, referral, volunteer peer support and support groups to people who have lost loved ones to suicide.
Phone: 08 9263 2150
Cancer Support Association of WA
Open grief and loss support group and counselling.
Phone: (08) 9384 3544
Email: [email protected]
Coronial services Western Australia
A counselling, information, and support service is provided by experienced Social Workers
Phone: (08) 9425 2900 or 1800 671 994
Free counselling for families of organ donators.
Phone: (08) 9222 0222
Information and support pack for those bereaved by suicide or sudden loss
This project was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing as part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Lighthouse Support Group
A support group, based in Albany, for those bereaved by suicide.
Phone: 0427 413 998 or 08 9842 1549
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre
Grief and loss counselling for individuals and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Phone: (08) 9345 5755 Monday, Wednesday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Confidential counselling for individuals, children and families.
Phone: 1300 364 277
Road Trauma Support Western Australia
Counselling and support services are provided free of charge to anyone impacted by road trauma.
Phone: (08) 9420 7262
StandBy Response Service
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide.
Phone: 0458 889 937 (Broome)
Phone:0438 611 999 (Karratha)
Phone:0488 910 012 (Kununurra)
The Grief Centre of Western Australia
An independent charity offering individual and family counselling or group meetings.
Phone: (08) 9444 7659
Email: [email protected]
Yorgum Aboriginal Counselling Service
Free individual or family counselling for Aboriginal people.
Phone: (08) 9218 9477
Northern Territory
Coronial services Northern Territory
A counselling, information, and support service is provided by experienced Social Workers
Phone: (08) 8999 7770
Information and support pack for those bereaved by suicide or sudden loss
This project was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing as part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Confidential counselling for individuals, children and families.
Phone: 1300 364 277
StandBy Response Service
StandBy provides a 24-hour coordinated response to address the needs of families, friends and associates who have been bereaved through suicide.
Phone: 0439 842 155 (Alice Springs)
Phone: 0418 575 680 (Darwin)
Phone: 1800 672 242