Media
Release
February
10th 1997
Free Bereavement Counselling Service opens in Melbourne
Bereavement is an experience which, sooner or later, affects us all.
It can take a long time to come to terms with the death of someone
close in our lives. It can also be difficult to know how to help
a bereaved
person in pain. Research demonstrates that, compared to non-bereaved
people, the bereaved show higher rates of mortality, suicide, anxiety,
depression and other health problems. Although the intense pain of
loss cannot be taken away, these health risks can be significantly
reduced
by effective social support.
The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement Bereavement Counselling Service is
available to people 16 years and over who have been bereaved through
any cause.
Counselling sessions are free and appointments can be made by telephone
on (03) 9822 0433. The service is co-located with the ‘Very Special
Kids’ service at 321 Glenferrie Road Malvern 3144. The service
is provided by mature counsellors participating in advanced training
in bereavement counselling. These counsellors are closely supervised
by experienced, accredited grief and bereavement practitioners.
The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement is a new independent, not for profit
organisation which opened in January 1996. Its mission is to
provide, through education
and training, optimum support for all bereaved people to assist
in their recovery and prevent chronic illness and ill health.
The Centre
is a
statewide service which receives operational funding through
the Department of Human Services.
For further information and interviews contact:
Chris Hall
Director
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
Telephone (03) 9545 6377 or mobile 0419 381 377 or AH (03) 9754
4402
Facsimile (03) 9545 6399
