Managing Loss & Grief
This program provides culturally safe support for participants as they navigate change, loss, and grief. Depression has a profound and lasting impact on the Indigenous community, and Yeddung Mura acknowledges this by making this program a key part of their Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Empowerment Yarning Circles. Through culturally safe activities, participants are encouraged to reflect, share, and engage in conversation. These circles promote peer learning, allowing individuals to see that they are not alone in dealing with the difficulties of change, loss, and grief. In a supportive setting, participants can listen, share their thoughts, make decisions, address challenges, and plan for the future. The program seeks to improve social, spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being while deepening connections to culture, cultural identity, and pride.
1. Hope & Trust
To build HOPE, an elder will provide a lived experience (story) based on truths of this program. With HOPE set, the facilitator and participants will build TRUST by introducing themselves and what they hope to achieve at the end of the program. Next the facilitator will handout workbooks an provide an overview of each module within the program. The facilitator will provide a high-level overview of the other two programs to build HOPE is what is to follow and cover fundamentals covered in detail by these programs.
2. Time to Weep (Emotional Release)
The purpose of this module is to encourage acknowledging and expressing grief rather than suppressing it. In this module the object of our existing grief is identified. This can be due to neglect, verbal or physical abuse or through loosing a loved one. Participants also self-assess if emotions of depression or hatred has been allowed to run riot in their lives. Sadness is a natural part of life, giving permission to feel without judgment.
3. Time to Mourn (Reflection)
This module create intentional moments to honour the loss and reflect on its meaning. Set aside space for grief as a deliberate act, separate from daily demands. Activities in this module is to design a personal memorial (e.g., lighting a candle, planting a tree); writing a letter to the person or thing lost; and meditation on memories, focusing on both pain and gratitude.
4. Time to Heal (Self-Care & Restoration)
In this module focus shifts toward rebuilding strength and well-being over time. It points to the gradual process of recovery, recognising that healing follows its own season. Activities includes a daily self-care checklist (sleep, nutrition, movement); mindfulness practices to ground oneself in the present; and connecting with a support group or trusted friend.
5. Time to Keep Silence (Solitude & Stillness)
In this module inner peace is fostered through quiet and introspection. This module highlights the value of stepping back to listen to one’s own heart. Practical activity is silent walks outside to process thoughts without distraction; limiting social media or external noise for a set period; and contemplative prayer or meditation on acceptance.
6. Time to Speak (Share & Connect)
Participants are encouraged to reach out to others to share the burden of grief. Individual are encouraged to balances silence with the need to express and be heard. Within the yarning circle everyone will stell stories to recount memories of the lost; some therapy or counselling sessions may be required to verbalise feelings; and participants will write a public tribute or post to connect with a community.
7. Time to Embrace (Physical & Relational Comfort)
In this module touch and connection to ease isolation in grief is discussed. This underscores the human need for closeness amidst loss. Seeking hugs or physical closeness from loved ones, is discussed and pets are bought in for pet therapy or cuddling with an animal for comfort. Yeddung Mura shares meals to rebuild bonds.
8. Time to Lose (Acceptance & Letting Go)
This module helps individuals release attachment to what was, embracing the present. Letting go is a natural step, not a failure. Symbolic release rituals will be explored (e.g., Visualisation exercises to imagine handing over the pain.). Participants will practice gratitude for what remains rather than what’s gone.
9. Time to Build Up
Participants are encouraged to find purpose or growth through the grief experience. Constructing something new from the pieces left behind is suggested; volunteering in memory of the loss (e.g., a cause they cared about); creating art, music, or writing inspired by the journey; or setting small, achievable goals to regain a sense of agency.
10. Continuous Change
Participants will provide lived experienced stories that have occurred in the program and develop a plan on how they will continue to stand up and take charge of their lives as it relates to managing grief.
Yeddung Mura and ACT Corrective Services collaborate to foster a safer community. This section outlines how the key attributes of this program contribute to achieving that goal.
This program is designed to enhance and sustain community safety. Click on the heading to delve into the strategic approaches employed by this initiative for ensuring community safety.
A focus on accountability and taking responsibility forms the cornerstone of rehabilitation and the successful reintegration of offenders. Click on the heading to learn how the program supports these critical goals.
The program fosters an environment that is safe, secure, and humane, thereby ensuring participants are treated with humanity, dignity, and respect. Click on the heading to discover how these principles are put into practice.
Yeddung Mura showcases several key attributes that guarantee the program is delivered with excellence. Click on the heading for an in-depth look at these attributes.
This program integrates various learning styles to guarantee effective education throughout its framework. Click on the heading to learn how they cater to diverse learning styles, their intended outcomes, and the strategies for evidence collection.
This program offers a structured approach to managing conflict and de-escalating situations via its group-based program. Click on the heading to discover the systems and processes designed to handle these scenarios effectively.