Surviving Traumatic Grief
When loved ones die in a disaster
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On the third anniversary of the disastrous Black Saturday bushfires when 173 Victorians lost their lives, Dr. Carolyn Westall and Anne Giljohann spoke to the Rotary Club of Hawthorn about the positive steps being taken to alleviate the suffering of those who survived. |
Carolyn (who lost her sister Sue Evans, along with Sue’s partner son, in the fire) and Anne (a bereavement counsellor who counselled many who had lost loved ones) were part of a group that met in Eltham in March 2010 to decide what could be done to further help those who had suffered the loss of loved ones in a tragedy.
They told us of the decision reached to write a book as a step towards reducing the isolation and increasing understanding for people embarking on traumatic grief. It would be used to assist those suffering from such traumas, one that would be based on interviews with 22 people and the steps taken to overcome the stress and anxiety. To achieve this they set up the Sue Evans Fund for Families and set about raising the requisite money.
Through tireless efforts and the help of the Red Cross and other sponsors they were able to raise $40,000 to enable the field work to take place by such notables as Dr. Richard Gordon and others and to publish the book by March 2011. Selling it at $15 per copy allows them to give away four free copies to those suffering from the loss of loved ones in tragic circumstances.
The book is such that it can be used by those suffering trauma, no matter what the disaster. Earthquakes, floods and fire disasters all leave those mourning loved ones in need of counselling and assistance. Its wide distribution has brought much praise and gratitude for the help and comfort it has given to survivors of floods in Bangladesh,Queensland, N.S.W and Victoria, as well as earthquake survivors in New Zealand.
Deeper consideration has shown that a further book is needed to help parents with counselling young people who become involved, to overcome such trauma. Field work has already begun with 18 interviews completed. To publish and distribute this book further funds will need to be raised; and, as the Red Cross is unable to help further at this time, they are hoping to attract other sponsors.
The support of an organisation such as Rotary would give a great boost to the possibility of other donors becoming involved to meet this vital need.