Finding the skills and tools to support others in their grief
Metro North Grief and Bereavement Service Coordinator Kylie Whyte will be delivering a unique workshop to help people feel comfortable supporting others experiencing grief.
A supportive and practical workshop is being held for Brisbane North and Moreton Bay residents to help them become more grief aware.
The workshop Supporting Others in Their Grief, which is being delivered by the Metro North Grief and Bereavement Service, aims to help people build confidence and the comforting skills to help others.
Metro North Grief and Bereavement Service Coordinator Kylie Whyte said when you experience the loss of a loved one it was important to feel supported by those around you.
“Often though as supporters, we can feel unprepared and may feel unsure about what to say or do,” she said.
“Universally, we all need skills to comfort others, because whether we like it or not, we are all going to be touched by death and grief in our lifetime.”
The Supporting Others in Their Grief workshop will be a comfortable and informative experience, and people are welcome to attend from all walks of life, age groups and cultural backgrounds.
“When grieving the loss of someone I loved, I was very upset and wanted to talk about my loss, whereas others, who were very close to my mum, stopped talking about her completely,” Kylie said.
“Even though we all experienced the same loss we grieved in our own unique way. Initially that was hard to understand, but I grew to realise we weren’t doing grief ‘the right way’, instead, we were doing it ‘our way.’”
Key concepts explored in this interactive workshop include how to become grief aware, basic understanding of grief and the values that underpin good grief support.
“It will also dive into the actions we can take to show up and keep showing up for those who have experienced loss and how we can support people by simply witnessing their grief,” Kylie said.
“The workshop will also link participants to additional personal supports if required.”
Supporting Others in Their Grief workshop follows on from the establishment of the Metro North Grief and Bereavement Service for patients and families and supporters of those who die within Metro North Palliative Care Services.
“Since meeting with people who are bereaved, we have been exposed to the experience of those who are left behind and we have heard some stories of how people don’t feel supported by those around them,” Kylie said.
“It became clear to me to that supporting others in their grief is a skill that we all need to develop.”
The Supporting Others in Their Grief workshop also follows on from the highly successful Death Café’s which have been delivered for Brisbane North and Moreton Bay residents over the past two years.
The free workshop is hosted by the Brighton Wellness Hub and more detail can be viewed on the workshop flyer.
Visit the Metro North Palliative Care Grief and Bereavement Service Resource Hub for links to other formal supports.
The workshop is limited to 32 people.