Provide support

Counsellors, police and the media play an important role both in the search and how those impacted feel

We’ve created some insightful resources to help those around the families and friends of missing loved ones better understand the experience to mitigate the risk of inadvertently causing further upset.

Education

Ambiguous Loss Masterclass

Ambiguous Loss 101

The first component of this world-first initiative provides vital professional and personal development to those who work with, or are close to, families and friends of missing people.

In the early stages of a disappearance, families require practical support. It’s important to recognise that practical support is a key component of emotional support.

Education

Ambiguous Loss Masterclass

Advanced Skills Training

The second component of this masterclass takes a deeper dive into the theoretical constructs of this complex grief. Its intended audience is professionals regularly providing support to families, including specialised police, counsellors and support workers.

EducAtion

The Hope Narratives Facilitation

Use this tangible tool to help guide someone experiencing complex feelings often too difficult to articulate.

Tips for support

Empathy and Etiquette

Little things can have have a big impact.

A short phone call goes a long way

Consistency in communication even when there is no news is important. – Dr Sarah Wayland

How do loved ones refer to their missing person?

Follow the cues of the person dealing with the ambiguous loss in how they refer to their missing person. – Dr Sarah Wayland

Telling the story is hard for loved ones

Consider the toll it takes on families and those impacted in telling and retelling their story. – Dr Sarah Wayland

Portrait of an older man with a sorrow expression looking at the camera

UNIQUE FORM OF GRIEF

Ambiguous loss

The type of grief families and friends of missing people experience is called ambiguous loss. Psychologists consider it to be one of the most traumatic kinds of grief and one of the most unmanageable forms of stress.

*Ambiguous Loss, the theory and the book; Emeritus Professor Dr Pauline Boss (Harvard University Press, 1999/2000)