VAD Support Groups are currently paused.
Thank you for your interest in Voluntary Assisted Dying support groups
Registrations for Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) support groups are currently paused.
This program has been delivered since 2023 by Dying With Dignity Victoria (DWDV) in partnership with Griefline, now SANE, to provide specialised grief and bereavement support to people grieving or preparing for the VAD death of a family member or friend. We thank DWDV for the dedicated funding that made that program possible.
SANE is currently working to integrate VAD-specific grief and bereavement support into its broader model of care. To stay informed on developments, we encourage you to monitor this page for updates and subscribe to the SANE newsletter. You can also email Dying With Dignity Victoria at [email protected] to register your interest in receiving information about upcoming programs or to request individual peer support.
We sincerely thank everyone who participated in the pilot and generously shared their experiences and insights. Their contributions are helping to shape future approaches to VAD-related grief and bereavement support.
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.