Resources While Grieving
Here are grief and bereavement support resources available in Melbourne and Australia including hotlines, websites, counselling options, and community supports you can access if you or someone you care about is struggling with loss:
Helplines & Phone Support (Melbourne & Nationwide)
Grief-focused Support
Griefline -National Grief Helpline
Free, confidential support for anyone experiencing grief or loss. Provides telephone support, peer forums, and resources to help you through your grief journey.
Phone: 1300 845 745 (8 am–8 pm, 7 days) Griefline
Website: griefline.org.au GrieflineThe Compassionate Friends Victoria
Peer support for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents.
Phone: (03) 9888 4944 or 1300 064 068 The Compassionate Friends Victoria
Website: compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au The Compassionate Friends VictoriaRed Nose Grief and Loss
For anyone who has experienced the death of a baby or child (including pregnancy loss).
Phone: 1300 308 307 (24/7) bdm.vic.gov.au
Website: rednosegriefandloss.org.au smct.org.au
General Mental Health & Crisis Support (especially if grief is overwhelming)
Lifeline – 24/7 crisis support & suicide prevention: 13 11 14 Healthdirect
SuicideLine Victoria – 24/7 support if suicidal thoughts occur: 1300 651 251 Health Victoria
Suicide Call Back Service – professional counselling 24/7: 1300 659 467 Health Victoria
Beyond Blue – support for anxiety, depression and emotional wellbeing: 1300 22 4636 (24/7) Health Victoria
Kids Helpline – free counselling for ages 5–25: 1800 55 1800 Wikipedia
Websites & Online Resources
Grief & Bereavement Information
Griefline – articles, coping strategies, online forums, bereavement info. Griefline
Grief Australia – education, grief information and directories for support services.
Phone: 1800 642 066 grief.org.au
Website: grief.org.au grief.org.auBetter Health Victoria – Grief Support Services – overview of local support and counselling options. Better Health Channel
Broader Mental Wellbeing Support
Beyond Blue – information, mood assessments, support pathways. beyondblue.org.au
R U OK? – resources for checking in with others and starting supportive conversations. Wikipedia
ReachOut.com – youth-friendly online guides, stories and coping tools. Wikipedia
Counselling & Professional Support
Local Melbourne Services
Mercy Grief Services (Sunshine, Melbourne) – specialist bereavement counselling for complicated grief. Health Services
Australian Centre for Grief & Bereavement – grief counselling, support groups and programs (phone/face-to-face).
Phone: 1800 642 066
Find a Counsellor or Therapist
You can connect with registered grief counsellors or therapists across Melbourne and Australia:
Australian Counselling Association (ACA) directory Griefline
Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) directory Griefline
(Note: private counselling may have a cost — Medicare or private health insurance rebates may be available depending on your situation.)
Support Groups & Community Connection
The Compassionate Friends Victoria – social and support groups for bereaved families. The Compassionate Friends Victoria
Griefline Support Groups – online shared grief group spaces (free, based on availability). Griefline
Support After Suicide – groups and resources for people grieving a loss to suicide. Standby