Looking after yourself while supporting grieving families
Supporting families through the loss of a pregnancy, baby, or young child can be deeply emotional—not just for the families themselves, but for the health professionals who care for them. These experiences can stay with you, often in ways you may not expect.
It’s okay to need support too
As a healthcare professional, you’re trained to focus on others. But in high-stress or emotionally charged situations, especially involving the death of a baby or child, it’s just as important to care for your own wellbeing.
You may feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to process what you’ve witnessed—especially if these situations are rare in your day-to-day role. And you might feel responsible for staying strong for your team or your patients.
Watch the Video: Self-care for Health Professionals
This video offers guidance on how to care for your emotional health, support your team, and continue offering compassionate care to grieving parents and caregivers.
Remember: You can’t pour from an empty cup
Prioritising your own wellbeing isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Whether it’s taking a break, speaking to a colleague, accessing professional supervision, or simply acknowledging how a case made you feel—these are important steps toward staying resilient and healthy in your role.
Downloadable Tools and Resources
We’ve also co-designed a suite of free downloadable tools to assist health professionals in their conversations with grieving families. These practical, easy-to-use resources are designed to:
- Support culturally responsive communication
- Offer clear, trauma-informed guidance
- Encourage reflection and self-care among professionals
Refer a Family to Red Nose Bereavement Support
If you’re working with a grieving family who may benefit from additional support, you can refer them directly to Red Nose using our secure referral form:
Make a referral
Complete our client referral form and a member of our Bereavement Support Intake Team will be in touch.
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