Excerpt from “Missing Christopher” Jayne Newling – www.missingchristopher.com
“I naively thought that after the viewing, the cremation, the memorial service and after my house had emptied and I could be alone again, this thing called grief, the razor edge of this deep pain, would soften and, given enough time, lie just behind memory in a milky bubble. I didn’t know that I’d be in shock for years and that by avoiding grief, it would send me mad.”
Grief is the normal and inevitable response to the death of a loved one. It can affect our feelings, behaviours, beliefs, thoughts, physical health and our relationship with others. It is important to know that there is no timeline when it comes to grief and everyone grieves in their own way. Although grief can be very painful, most people (85 – 90%) find that the support of their family, friends and their own resources, will gradually find ways to live with their loss. However for some, it may be helpful to seek professional support.
Page Contents
- – List of Grief Counsellors in the Blue Mountains
- – Support Groups
- – Books on Grief
- – Radio Interviews on Grief
- – Internet Resources
List of Grief Counsellors in the Blue Mountains
Boudi Maassen – www.boudi.com.au 0424 416 969
Vinity Gill – www.mokshatherapy.com.au 0420 973 363 or 4782 7786
Annette Coulter (incorporating Art Therapy) – 0408 822 080
Support Groups
Solace Australia
Supporting those grieving over the death of their partner.
9519 2820
Family Drug Support
24/7 Support Line 1 300 368 186
4782 9222
9am – 4pm, Monday to Friday
Supporting families who have lost someone through drug or alcohol overdose/addiction.
Blue Mountains Suicide Support
Books on Grief
The local library has books on grief and there are many available on sale at book stores, eBay, Amazon, etc. I have just listed a few which I have found useful. The internet also provides a wealth of information.
On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
“Missing Christopher” Jayne Newling – www.missingchristopher.com
Coping With Grief – 4th Edition Mal McKissock and Dianne McKissock
Radio Interviews on Grief
The month of August was Grief Awareness Month in the Blue Mountains. The Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre in Lawson held an all day workshop entitled “From Grief and Loss to Renewal” on the 23rd of August, I was able to interview Boudi Maassen who is a grief counsellor on my “Body Mind Spirit Chat” radio show about the workshop and about Grief. The interview is extremely informative and I hope you will find the content useful.
ON the 7th of June 2014, Jayne Newling launched her book “Missing Christopher” at the Carrington Hotel. This is the story of Christopher’s shocking suicide at 17 and it’s tragic aftermath for the family. Honest , raw , and deeply moving. Jayne’s account brings to life the visceral experience of grief and the long, painful journey towards finding meaning in life again. Below you will find 3 separate radio interviews.
On the 30th of May, I was able to interview Jayne Newling, just before her book launch of “Missing Christopher” on Radio Blue Mountains.
On the 10th of June 2014, an interview on the ABC with Richard Fidler and Jayne Newling was broadcasted.
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2014/06/10/4022223.htm?site=conversations
August 19, 2014 Ray Hadley from 2GB interviews Jayne Newling.
http://www.2gb.com/audioplayer/59221#.VA1M5GNF594
Internet Resources
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
www.grief.org.au
Bereavement CARE Centre
www.bereavementcare.com.au
LivingCaringWorking
www.livingcaringworking.com
National Association for Loss and Grief (NSW)
www.nalag.org.au
National Centre for Childhood Grief
www.childhoodgrief.org.au
This link provides an extensive list of grief blogs..
http://www.mastersincounseling.org/loss-grief-bereavement.html#blogs
24 hour telephone support
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Mensline – 1300 789 978
Kids Help Line – 1800 551 800
Beyondblue – 1300 22 4636
