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Counselling

Magistrates Court - Coroners Court

The Coronial Counselling Unit is part of Queensland Health Scientific Services. This unit provides support and information to families affected by the death of a loved one that is under investigation by the coroner.

The unit keeps families informed about the investigation, particularly in relation to the autopsy examination and any further tests that are performed to establish the cause of death.

The counsellors act as intermediaries between bereaved families, police, pathologists and coroners. They also direct families to community counselling services if they require long term assistance.

The unit is based at the John Tonge Centre in Brisbane. However, referrals and requests for counselling are accepted from all coroners’ offices in Queensland.

For more information on the service, contact the Coronial Counselling Unit on (07) 3274 9200 or 1800 449 171 or the coroner at your local Magistrates Court.

I don’t think I / my relative / my friend is coping with the grieving process very well. What can I do?

People react to death in very individual ways, and what may seem abnormal behaviour to you may in fact be a natural grieving mechanism for them. However if you are concerned about yourself, or someone else, there are many organisations that can offer you support and advice. The Coronial Counselling Unit at the John Tonge Centre, Brisbane, has staff who are dedicated to assisting people with the grieving process when they are affected by the death of someone whose death is reported to a Coroner. They can be contacted free of charge for advice and assistance. If you wish to speak to someone closer to where you live they can provide you with further contact details.

Are there any organisations that offer support to relatives and friends that experience sudden and unexpected deaths?

There are many organisations throughout Australia that offer support and often they are organised by people who have had similar experiences. A list of some organisations can be found on our webpage “Useful agencies”, alternatively the phone book or the internet may provide you with further details.

Last updated Monday, 19 November 2007 14:31