What is Learning Through Loss?

Learning Through Loss is a nationally recognised grief literacy education program developed by Palliative Care Tasmania. The program equips educators, health professionals, and community workers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support children and young people experiencing grief and loss. The voices and lived experiences of young people are embedded in the Learning Through Loss education and resources.

Grounded in public health and prevention principles, Learning Through Loss addresses the many forms of grief that young people encounter, including bereavement, family breakdown, out-of-home care, illness, friendship loss, and big life changes and transitions. The program offers evidence-informed training, practical tools, and accessible resources to help build compassionate, grief-literate schools and communities.

Since its launch in 2022, Learning through Loss has trained over 1,170 professionals across more than 170 schools and 100 organisations throughout Tasmania. The 2022-24 Pilot Evaluation shows the program significantly improves participants’ confidence and capacity. 

In 2024, the program commenced a 12-month pilot in regional Victoria in partnership with PHN Murray, the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital and Palliative Care Victoria. This collaboration marks the first step in adapting and scaling Learning through Loss for national implementation, with the aim of embedding grief literacy within school systems and services across Australia. 

There also has been demand from the broader community for similar grief education, in community services, allied health, primary health, aged care as well as the broader community. Learning through Loss is currently being adapted by PCT to support these broader communities with the support of funding from Healthy Tasmania and Primary Health Tasmania.