Recognising and responding to grief

Grief is a universal human experience, one that each of us will encounter in different ways throughout our lives. It can arise from bereavement, divorce or separation, illness, children leaving home, or other major life transitions. Although it is a natural part of life, many people find grief difficult to recognise, discuss or respond to, both personally and professionally.

This 30 minute recorded session will explore the diverse experiences of grief, from bereavement and divorce to major life transitions. It will offer practical strategies for recognising and responding to grief in oneself and others across personal and professional contexts. The session will also include guidance on how to support grieving colleagues, friends and family.

In this practical and compassionate discussion Christopher Hall, CEO of Grief Australia, will share supportive approaches that can help you feel more confident when navigating grief, whether your own or someone else’s.

You will learn how to:

• Recognise the many forms of grief and its unique impact on each person
• Understand healthy coping and healing responses
• Support friends, family and colleagues experiencing loss

2-page summary hand-out

• A written summary of the key points of this session Recognising and responding to grief

Speaker: Christopher Hall, CEO of Grief Australia

For the past 29 years Christopher Hall has held the position of Director and Chief Executive Officer of Grief Australia. He is a psychologist specialising in grief and bereavement. Christopher was elected President of the Association for Death Education and Counselling in 2015. In 2007, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Work Group on Dying, Death and Bereavement and served as chair from 2010-2013 and as the Secretary/Treasurer since 2010. The Association for Death Education and Counselling in 2018 awarded him the ADEC Service Award for his commitment to the field and advancing the study of dying, death and bereavement.

Christopher is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement, an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne and an Industry Fellow of the Faculty of Education at Monash University. He serves as the Editor of the journal Grief Matters: The Australian Journal of Grief and Bereavement and is a former Associate Editor of Death Studies. Since 2010, Christopher has been a member of the Coronial Council of Victoria. In the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours Christopher was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, (AM) for significant service to psychology, particularly to grief and bereavement.