At this time of year, The Compassionate Friends is flooded with calls due to deaths caused by road accidents, suicides and murders.
More sad in a period known as the time of goodwill and peace, when families come together to celebrate.
It is not generally realised how much comfort and support is needed by these families, no matter the circumstances of the death or the age of the child.
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a mutual self-help organisation offering counselling, friendship and understanding to bereaved parents and siblings.
TCF reaches out to all bereaved parents across artificial barriers of religion, race, economic class or ethnic group.
The primary purpose is to assist in the positive resolution of the grief experienced upon the death of a child, sibling or grandchild and to support efforts to achieve physical and emotional health.
The secondary purpose is to provide information and education about bereavement to as broad a base of the general public as we can. The objective is to help those in their community, including family, friends, employers, co-workers and professionals to be supportive. We also offer advice to other relatives, friends and professionals as to how to deal with those close to them who may be grieving. To this end, TCF offers support literature and gives regular talks and presentations within the community, such as at schools, hospitals, corporates, the media and other charitable organisations.
The primary beneficiaries of our services are all parents, siblings and grandparents who have experienced the loss of a child or brother or sister.
Unresolved grief may feature intense, prolonged, delayed or denied mourning, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and poor physical health and is often linked with problems in functioning. Unresolved grief eventually turns into delayed grief, the effects of which can surface years later as inappropriate reactions or behaviour.
The secondary beneficiaries are the people whose lives are affected or linked to the people who have lost a child. Their extended families, co-workers, and the people they come into contact with every day.
The Compassionate Friends will be closed from 16 December to 4 January next year, however the phone line will be open.
Details: 011 440 6322.
