Help to handle grief

Christine Richardson and Michelle Dunlop founded the Grief Centre of Western Australia in response to their own experiences with the grieving process.

‘While we weren’t aware of it at the time, this initiative was conceived several years ago over many discussion with myself and my good friend Christine,’ Ms Dunlop said.

‘Because of our own personal journeys with grief and through our vocational work in related areas of loss and grief, we became acquainted with many people whose hearts and often lives were broken by grief.

‘We could clearly see the need for a place for people to go where they could find understanding, support and guidance as they journey towards recovery.’

Ms Richardson said writing her book Grief – Mothers’ Stories of Heartbreak and Hope which details stories of families who have gone through the grieving process also inspired the need to open the centre.

The centre has been designed to offer a range of services including online, phone and email support, counselling, group meetings, workshops, art therapy, cafe groups and workplace training.

Ms Richardson said they would also work as advocatesfor people in grief.

‘One aim is to change the way bureaucracy responds,’ she said.

‘We have heard too often of totally unacceptable attitudes and procedures various organisations have inflicted on individuals attempting to deal with the mountains of paper often associated with death.

The Grief Centre of Western Australia is based at Tuart College.

For more information go to griefcentrewa.org.au