To give the gift of counselling this Christmas is the request from Grief Support Services after the community has dealt with the challenging year of the Covid-19 environment.

Grief Support have launched a 25 by 25 Donation Appeal. The aim is to raise $25,000 by December 25.

'All funds raised will support our service to provide subsidised professional grief and loss counselling to those in the Western Bay of Plenty community,” says Grief Support Service manager/senior counsellor Janet Baird.

'This is an opportunity to give the gift of counselling this Christmas for those in need within our community.”

The service supports families and individuals within the Western Bay of Plenty through grief and loss situations so that those experiencing grief feel more understood and less isolated, become more resilient and are better able to access support.

'The complexities of coping with grief and loss have definitely been exacerbated due to various circumstances in relation to the pandemic,” says Janet.

Grief counselling can lessen the risk of depression and suicidal ideation. As people grow their support systems and tools of resilience they are less likely to turn to drugs, alcohol, self-harm or other unhelpful tools to cope.

'There is a flow-on effect from counselling as our clients become more resilient and return to participating in their families, community and workplace,” says Janet.

Grief and loss are not only a response to bereavement but can occur following any loss or unwelcome change. This includes situations such as the break-up of a relationship or marriage, fractured family relationships, financial loss, redundancy, injury or illness of self or of a friend/family member.

While the organisation cannot share client stories due to their code of ethics, feedback received through their post-counselling survey highlights the positive effects that the service provides. As a result of the counselling, clients report such changes as feeling calmer; daily life being more manageable; being better able to participate in family/social/work life; having new skills to help them through difficult times; and being more inclined to speak up for themselves.

'Letting things out and sharing my thoughts has given me my strength back to deal with all that life has thrown at me,” says a past client. 'I am so much stronger now and able to deal with the grief so much better and look forward.”

Another previous client says they 'feel whole and like there has been an amazing amount of healing through this journey here. I feel more connected with myself and others. Less aggressive and self-protective too.”

In their last financial year, philanthropic support contributed to the service providing more than 2400 grief and loss counselling sessions, offering counselling support for more than 520 individuals and families/whanau and providing information and support to the community. However, the waiting list that the service operates with continues to grow.

All donations for the 25 by 25 Donation Appeal over $25 can choose to receive a set of 15 custom designed gift labels, while stocks last. Artwork has been designed for the service by local Tauranga artist Paulene Longley from Flossiphy, who is a watercolour artist, and surface pattern and fabric designer. Find her on Instagram, @Flossiphy.Art

For more information on Grief Support Services or to donate, visit: www.griefsupport.org.nz/appeal2021