Breaking: Griefline helpline saved – for now. Why we must keep fighting for grief support

ST KILDA, Australia - EntSun -- With just 24 hours to go before its scheduled closure, Griefline has received confirmation that the Hon. Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Aged Care, has agreed to provide additional funding for our Helpline to continue operating in 2024-25.

This decision would not have been possible without you, our dedicated volunteers and staff, our service users, the public who wrote to MPs, our sector partners, ambassadors, and peers who helped us make some noise.

You refused to let grief support be overlooked. Your voices reached the media, engaged MPs and Senators across Australia, and ensured that decision-makers listened.

We know what this means for the thousands of people who turn to us every year. When we announced the closure of our helpline, we received an outpouring of messages from people who have relied on our telephone support. Here's what they told us:

• For the person who picks up the phone in the midst of their grief, unsure where to turn.

"After my husband died suddenly, I was frozen in my emotional and mental distress. I wasn't ready to see a psychologist or my doctor—I simply couldn't get myself out of the house. So, I called Griefline. I spoke with some of the most empathetic, non-judgemental, caring, and understanding people I have ever met. They listened. They understood. They stood by me and encouraged me to keep going."

• For the grieving parent, partner, or friend searching for a voice that understands.

"I have been using the helpline support service during the month of February due to three family members passing within the last six months. The support workers have helped me immensely. The fact that the helpline completely focuses on grief makes it a very unique and necessary service."

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Because of you, that voice will still be there.

Grief support must be recognised as essential

While this funding secures the immediate future of the Griefline Helpline, we cannot stop here. Grief support is not just a nice-to-have; it is an essential service that plays a critical role in preventing mental ill-health, including suicide.

"Grief is a universal human experience, yet grief support remains vastly underfunded in Australia's mental health system. Without early intervention, grief can compound into serious mental health challenges. We will continue working with our industry peers to advocate for a system where grief support is recognised as an essential service and adequately funded, so that no one in Australia has to face loss alone."  — Kate Cahill, Griefline CEO

We're not out of the woods yet

While today is an incredible step forward, this funding only secures the helpline until June 30, 2025 – and beyond that, there are no guarantees.

We have received assurances from the Government that the Forecast Opportunity will be a non-competitive process, meaning we are hopeful that funding will continue. However, if an election is called before the grant process is completed, the funding could be delayed or even cancelled.

This means we cannot yet confirm the long-term funding so that no grieving Australian is ever left without support.

Please be patient with us.

Over the next few weeks, we will be re-engaging our volunteer community and restoring coverage on the Helpline. There may be times when our availability is lower than usual, but we are working as quickly as we can to ensure full capacity.

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We will keep advocating for better investment in early intervention and prevention mental health supports. Griefline stands with Mental Health Australia's pre-election campaign in calling for longer-term contracts and sustainable funding for preventative mental health care.

Join us in strengthening Australia's mental health system

This moment proves what we can achieve together.

As we continue advocating for better recognition, stronger collaborations, and adequate funding for early intervention mental health support services, we invite you to be part of this movement.

Follow Griefline for updates, announcements, and ways to get involved as we push for a stronger, more effective mental health system, one where grief support is prioritised and every Australian can access quality, free mental health care when they need it most.

https://griefline.org.au/

If you need grief support, call the Griefline Helpline on 1300 845 745 (8 am – 8 pm AEDT/AEST, 7 days a week).

For media and partnership enquiries, please contact: Louisa Smith, Griefline Director of Strategic Innovation, louisa@griefline.org.au