Most of us experience the death of a person close to us at sometime in our lives.
This can lead to emotions like grief. The following feelings are common when you
have lost someone close to you...
* Upset
* Tearful
* Detached
* Numb
* Finding it hard to accept what has happened
* Confused
* Frightened
* Angry
* Depressed
These feelings may come and go or they may stay with you for a long time.
There is no set time limit; some people can seem to recover from the death of a close one relatively quickly, whilst others can take a longer time to get back to normal.
If you have recently suffered the death of someone close...
Try to let people know how you are feeling and don't bottle up your emotions - talking to friends and family may help. If you don't have anyone close to talk to, or if you'd prefer to talk to someone outside your group, a bereavement counsellor may be able to help.
If you know someone who has suffered a loss recently...
Speak to them to let them know that you are there for them. Don't ignore them, as you are embarrassed as to what to say to them - they will appreciate the support of friends.
Be sensitive to them - understand that they may have a bunch of different emotions and feelings which they are trying to work through, so sometimes they may seem fine and other times they may seem upset or withdrawn.
Did you know...
Losing a loved one is one of the most stressful experiences likely to happen to a person in their life.
TOP TIPS
1. Speak to family and friends, your GP, or look up the local bereavement counselling service.
2. Some people find it helpful to call the person up in their imagination and communicate with them there, to let them know how they are feeling. If you have unresolved feelings about someone who has died or is missing, it can be a useful way to let your emotions out and feel better.
Cruise Bereavement Care 020 8940 4818
www.bereavement.org
Counselling, advice and information for bereaved people
Youth Access Bereavement Counselling Service 0208 772 9900
Relateen Counselling for young people (11-18) 01279 423 655
