WA Support Services
Access To Allied Pyschological Services (ATAPS)
Free Pyschologist Sessions
The Perinatal Depression program is funded through the National Perinatal Depression Initiative and entitles parents experiencing perinatal depression to free focussed psychological sessions with a psychologist who has a special
interest in parents who are experiencing depression as a result of the loss of their baby. The mother (or father) needs to obtain an ATAPS referral from a GP to access this service.
One referral equates to six 1 hour sessions. There is further provision for a 2nd and in exceptional circumstances third referral (18 sessions in total)
There is no service fee or gap paid by the patient for this service. Many of the psychologists deal in grief and loss and perinatal depression.
Angel Babies Foundation
Angel Babies Foundation provides free counselling and information to individuals and families across Australia experiencing anxiety, grief or loss related to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, perinatal death, stillbirth, premature birth or neonatal death.
Website
Australian Counselling Association
The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) is a National progressive professional peak association of counsellors and psychotherapists with over 3000 individual members.
Website
Australian Multiple Birth Association
“The Multiple Birth Association Bereavement Support Group (M-BABS) was formed to provide a means of communication for bereaved multiple birth families and surviving multiples and to act as a forum for the sharing of information relating to the unique aspects of loss for a multiple birth family.”
Website
Beyond Blue
A national organisation devoted to increasing awareness and understanding of depression in the community. Its website contains useful depression resources (including people's personal experiences of depression) and information on current initiatives.
Info Line: 1300 22 4636
Website
Chaplains
Hospital chaplains of all denominations can offer bereaved parents spiritual comfort and rituals. Please contact your local hospital for more information.
Community Health Centres
Community Health Centres throughout QLD may provide Social Workers for one-on-one bereavement support.
General Practitioners
Your local GP may be able to put you in touch with local support services.
Please ask your GP about ATAPS (see above). This is a program which entitles you to free sessions with a pyschologist when experiencing depression after the loss of your baby.
Grow Australia
GROW is a community of persons working towards mental health through mutual help and a 12 Step Program of recovery. Small groups of people who have experienced depression, anxiety or other mental or emotional distress, meet together on a weekly basis to help each other deal with the challenges of life. Some people come to GROW while struggling with the loss of a job, a loved one or a relationship.
Website
Kids Helpline
Call 1800 55 800 24hr service
Life Line
13 11 14 – 24hr counselling, information and referral (local call)
The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia Inc. is a peak body for Member Associations which meet the standards developed by consensus as appropriate for professional practitioners within the disciplines of Counselling and Psychotherapy in the Australian community.
Website
Psychologists
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the largest professional association for psychologists in Australia, representing more than 17,000 members. Search for a Pyschologist nearest you.
Website
ATAPS- Free Pyschologist sessions
These are available through the Access To Allied Pyschological Services (ATAPS) program for parents experiencing depression after the loss of their baby. For information about this service, please visit or contact your local GP and ask about ATAPS.
Salvo Crisis Line
(suicide prevention)
Tel: 02 9331 2000
Sids and Kids Western Australia
Sids & Kids NSW supports families who experience the death of their baby or young child during pregnancy, birth and infancy, through the provision of bereavement support, education, advocacy and the promotion of research.
Website
Social Workers
Social Workers are available at many hospitals and can provide a safe neutral space for you to talkabout your loss. Please contact your local hospital for more information.
Suicide Call Back Service
Telephone support for those at risk of suicide, their carers and those bereaved by suicide. Up to six 50-minute telephone counselling sessions for people who are suicidal, caring for someone who is suicidal or bereaved by suicide. 7 days a week 10am - 8:30pm.
Phone: 1300 659 467
The Compassionate Friends (Australia)
Phone support, drop-in centre, support groups and library for bereaved parents and siblings, run by bereaved parents. The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families in the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child and to provide information to help others be supportive. TCF Victoria is part of world-wide self-help organisation offering friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, siblings and grand-parents. We offer friendship and understanding to families who are grieving the death of a child of any age, from any cause. All bereaved family members are welcome.
Tel: 02 9290 2355 or 1800 671 621
Website
The Stillbirth Foundation Australia
The Stillbirth Foundation works to reduce the incidence of stillbirth in Australia. To achieve this goal, the Stillbirth Foundation operates with the aims to: fund and encourage research into stillbirth; and increase public awareness about stillbirth. Whilst the Stillbirth Foundation does not offer direct bereavement support, we hope that the information you find in this website will provide you with some comfort that something is being done to address the terrible tragedy that is stillbirth.
Website