This article in the Financial Times resonates deeply with our founders Andrea and John. The impact of bereavement is far more complex than many realise and long waits for counselling services already adds to the personal trauma being experienced by a family or individual.
Research commissioned by Elliot's Footprint found that when a family is navigating the sudden death of a child, two important elements would help the most:
Assistance in the immediate aftermath - someone to help guide them through the many, many processes and who aid communicating with schools, employers and benefit agencies etc
Counselling assistance - some may accept, some may decline but knowing it was an option or something they could call upon weeks or months later was a comfort.
So, while counselling waits are an issue for those experiencing bereavement, we also need improved training for counsellors to understand that bereavement support should be more than just talking therapy.
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