Professional Grief Support Committee
“This committee seeks to build a compassionate culture that acknowledges grief as part of our work and supports healing at every level.” – Kirsten Goard, Bereavement Team Leader
About Us
The Professional Grief Support Committee (PGSC) is here to support you and encourage self-care in our workplace.
This committee is facilitated by Bereavement Team Leader Kirsten Goard and includes representation of team members across disciplines who will work to create and maintain emotional and psychological support systems across the organization, including coordinating initiatives such as the Code Lavender response system, facilitating support groups/individual peer sessions, and assisting with mental health focused events (meditation, art therapy, reflective practices, etc.). The PGSC will also provide ongoing grief, self-care and burnout prevention education.
The Need
At Hospice of the Piedmont, we recognize that caring for those at the end of life is both a meaningful privilege and a deep emotional responsibility. Our work requires presence, empathy, and strength—but it also carries with it the weight of cumulative grief, compassion fatigue, and personal stress. We are experts at supporting others through their pain, and we must also ensure that we’re caring for ourselves and for one another.
Our Commitment
The Professional Grief Support Committee is dedicated to aiding team members in the following ways:
- Ensuring that all staff members have support after tough cases and difficult losses
- Promoting a workplace that prioritizes emotional wellness
- Creating a safe space to talk and be heard
- Encouraging staff to utilize healthy coping skills and utilize existing resources
Code Lavender
Code Lavender is a peer-based emotional support program designed to offer short-term comfort and connection during or after difficult moments at work. Support may include listening, presence, brief coping strategies, and referrals to additional resources when needed.
Please note:
- Code Lavender is a confidential peer support program.
- Information shared will remain private, except in cases involving safety concerns or ethical violations.
- Code Lavender is not a crisis line or a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or feel unsafe, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by call or text for 24/7 free and confidential support.
Once you submit a request for Code Lavender, a member of the Code Lavender Team will follow up with you within 24 business hours to coordinate support. Click the link below to access the Code Lavender Request Form.