Many families find it difficult to navigate the complexities of voluntary assisted dying (VAD). That’s according to Jane Nosworthy and Kerrie Arthur.

Jane is a Board member of Dying with Dignity Victoria. Jane brings to the board her lived experience of supporting a family member to access VAD, as well as her professional background as a lawyer and social worker.

Kerrie is a counsellor and group facilitator with Griefline. With a background in social work that underpins her practice, she has become an advocate for voluntary assisted dying (VAD).

They were both part of a twelve month pilot program of voluntary assisted dying-specific bereavement support groups that Dying with Dignity Victoria and Griefline partnered to deliver in 2023 and 2024.

They discuss the importance of death literacy, addressing stigma, and providing support for families during and after the process. Programs like grief support groups and drop-in sessions aim to offer ongoing emotional support to caregivers.

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:

Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745 is available 8am-8pm seven days a week
Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745
Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day

To register your interest in participating in a VAD-specific support group, go to: https://griefline.org.au/get-help/vad-support-groups/

Dying With Dignity Victoria - https://www.dwdv.org.au/

For information about one-to-one peer support in Victoria provided by Dying With Dignity Victoria, go to: https://www.dwdv.org.au/our-services/vad-support/
To read more about VAD and grief, go to: https://griefline.org.au/understanding-voluntary-assisted-dying-and-its-impact-on-grief-white-paper/

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department.

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