How to get help
1 in 2 family members experience symptoms of prolonged grief or post-traumatic stress after the sudden death of a young person
When to get help?
Struggling after a family member passes away is common and very normal
Good and bad days
Family members often talk about good days and bad days
Experiencing loss can be traumatic
If you are experiencing flashbacks, nightmares or increased anxiety overtime, additional support can be helpful in coping
No timeline
There is no right or wrong time to seek help
Harder to cope and function
If you notice that it is getting harder to cope and function in daily activities and life it may be helpful to seek support
We recommend all family members seek extra support with a grief counsellor or clinical psychologist. Therapy may include individual or family sessions. You might find seeing a grief counsellor or clinical psychologist helpful at different times (e.g within weeks after the death, months or even years). There’s no time limit on when you can seek further help. You can find more information on the different types of mental health care providers here.
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Don’t be afraid to change mental health care providers if you don't have a good experience or don’t fit. We don’t think twice about changing hairdressers or mechanics, so you should not think twice of changing mental health care providers to find the right fit. It may take more than one session to decide if they’re the right fit for you.
How do I get help?
1. Referral from your general practitioner (GP)
In Australia, your GP can refer you to an appropriate mental health care provider. Some medicare rebates are available with GP referral.
2. Contact a mental health professional directly
There is usually a cost associated with these services. A good starting place is the “search for a psychologist” section of the Australian Psychological Society website where you can search by location.
3. Peer and professional support
Some people find benefit from a combination of peer support and professional support. Some options include: Compassionate friends https://tcfa.org.au/