The VAD Support Group has now closed.
This pilot program was made possible through dedicated short-term funding from Dying With Dignity Victoria and delivered in partnership with Griefline, now SANE, to provide specialised grief support to people bereaved following VAD. Â
The program delivered 10 drop-in group support sessions, accessible to carers supporting people pre-VAD, and eight six-session groups, for Carers Post-VAD.
Insights and feedback from this pilot program have indicated the importance of dedicated support and lived-experience connections to support carers through this bereavement.
SANE will continue to explore opportunities to provide accessible and targeted grief support related to VAD and updates will be posted on this page.
We thank everyone who participated in the program and generously shared their experiences with us.
in partnership with Dying With Dignity Victoria
VAD white paper for support workers and professionals
The insights shared in this white paper offer valuable perspectives for anyone supporting or working with families impacted by VAD. Download the full white paper to explore:Â Â
- How the VAD process shapes the grief experience. Â
- Key learnings from the Australian-first VAD support group pilot program. Â
- Practical recommendations for improving bereavement care in the context of VAD. Â
Support guides for friends and family
Coping with grief before VAD
This double-sided downloadable resource offers gentle guidance to help family and friends prepare for the grief that may arise before the voluntary assisted death of a loved one. It may be shared by health professionals, community organisations, or end-of-life care services.
Coping with grief after VAD
This double-sided downloadable resource offers compassionate guidance to help family and friends navigate grief following the voluntary assisted death of a loved one. It may be shared by health professionals, community organisations, or end-of-life care services.