Grief and loss Counselling Program

This year, RA Tas launched its dedicated Grief and Loss Counselling Program offering bereavement counselling support to Tasmanians.

This fee-paying service was established through strong internal collaborations to ensure a smooth, trauma-informed pathway for those seeking assistance.

In 2024, the Grief and Loss Counselling Program underwent a ‘soft launch’ to enable us to consider and refine our tailored internal systems and referral pathways. Promotional efforts included a social media campaign, integration into various community events and forums, and a partnership with Millington’s Funeral Service. This partnership involves providing one flyer per next-of-kin to clients starting from March 2024, along with a personalised text message sent to all clients on the 6-month anniversary of their loved one’s passing. The message includes a link for recipients to directly contact RA Tasmania if they wish to access counselling services.

People … describe the service as accessible and note that their experience … has made a positive and meaningful difference in their lives.

People who have accessed the dedicated Grief and Loss Counselling Program describe the service as accessible and note that their experience of RA Tas Grief counselling has made a positive and meaningful difference in their lives. Many reflect that their counsellors helped them by validating and normalising their experiences of grief and loss and have noted that they have learned new tools and strategies to navigate their journey forward, noting they feel stronger and now have more self-compassion.

In summary, the achievements of the broader Grief and Loss Strategy and its associated initiatives represent a significant step forward in our commitment to providing compassionate care and support to those navigating the challenges of bereavement. Additionally, feedback internal and external stakeholders is consistently positive and validating the need for these initiatives and the ‘fit’ for RA Tasmania to be leading our community towards a positive and open grief.