|
About Us Education Bereavement Support Resources & Publications Fundraising & Events Get Involved Donations Partners & Sponsors Newsletters Parent's Stories Links |
| ||
Bereavement Support
Welcome to the SIDS and Kids Western Australia web site
GRIEF SUPPORT SERVICES
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 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. 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. 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 2005 calendar of support meetings. Group Support Meetings 2006Trained 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. SIDS and Kids WA holds a Christmas Memorial Service annually. This service is for bereaved families and friends to come together to reflect and remember their baby or child. 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.
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 a copy of the Mothers' Day (May 2005) 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:
SIDS and Kids WA also provides grief education and training to health professionals. Telephone: Administration (08) 9474 3544 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday to Friday Country Callers 1800 199 466 24 Hour Support Line 1800 686 780
Email: perth@sidsandkids.org Address: 33 Sixth Avenue, KENSINGTON 6151 |
|||
