Help at hand to overcome loss

William Barrett and Sons has partnered with two highly-qualified counsellors to host free grief support sessions in Bunbury and Busselton.

The business is encouraging more people to access the service to facilitate a healthier grieving process for more families.

“As a society, we need to share in our grief, acknowledge the pain that follows death and support each other,” funeral director Adrian Barrett said.

Kylie Birkin, whose son Mitchel was killed in an accident at his worksite last year, said the support sessions had helped her deal with her loss.

“It is good just to know that there are people out there who know what you are going through,” she said.

“You can come along to the sessions but you don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.

“The people there become like your family and I know I would have struggled without their help.”

Counsellor Laurissa Knowles said sharing experiences was one of the best ways to deal with grief.

“It is a place with no judgement and you don’t need a particular set of beliefs,” she said.

“You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to share, it is just a chance for like-minded people to share what they have been through.

“The main thing we want is for people to feel heard because often the natural reaction is to shut down.

“We want it to be a safe place where people can come and say what they need to say.”

The sessions start next Tuesday night in Bunbury and they will be held on Wednesday nights in Busselton.

Go to http://www.barrettfunerals.com.au/events or on the William Barrett and Sons Facebook page for more information.