Approximately one in ten workers is directly affected by a death annually, while one in twenty-five workers is caring for a seriously ill relative.
The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) has launched the first bereavement support training website in Europe.
The site’s online training course, called Lost for Words, is suitable for both members of the public and companies that can use it as part of induction or in eTraining for employees.
Miriam O’Callaghan launched the website on Thursday saying, “We will all be bereaved at some stage and of course we will face supporting grieving friends, neighbours, relatives and work colleagues. We sometimes wonder what we can do when someone loses a person they love. It is an awkward subject and none of us are experts. But we should reach out and acknowledge their loss rather than ignoring the issue. Simple words and gestures can help someone on the bereavement journey.”
Lost for Words was developed by the IHF as a response to identified deficits in bereavement services.
Work began in January 2010 on what is level 1 bereavement support or training geared for the general public.
At this level, people can offer the bereaved accurate information, practical help and social support; 66% of bereaved people need support at this level.
The online training course includes three case studies and offers guidelines on appropriate support for a bereaved person.
It also outlines valuable tips on what to say and what not to say to a bereaved person.
With inputs from bereavement experts and featuring RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan, the course offers insights on supporting someone who is terminally ill and how to respond on the death of a child, death through suicide and supporting children when they are grieving.
The IHF is now developing an online level 2 training resource for individuals involved in organisations providing bereavement support.
At this level, the griever needs more focused help by a trained volunteer.
The level 3 online training, where an individual needs more specialised help, will be processed from 2012.
This level is geared at professionals involved in bereavement support such as psychologists and psychotherapists.
The IHF is a national charity that promotes the hospice philosophy and supports the development of hospice and palliative care.
Work in the area of bereavement is a core activity for the IHF.
The IHF’s work in developing bereavement support across the country includes outreach training and workshops on bereavement to companies and organisations.