Bereavement
Bereavement is hard under any circumstances and can have a large impact on mental health.
It can be difficult to know what to say to someone who is grieving, Dying Matters have suggested these tips on how to support someone who is grieving:
- It's better to do something than nothing - to acknowledge loss rather than ignore it
- Look for invitations to talk from the other person. If they start talking about the person who has died, encourage them, even if it seems to make them upset
- Be comforting when opening up the conversation rather than business-like
- Try and create an environment where the person has the freedom to talk or not talk, according to what they want. I'm around all day if you fancy a chat...
There is support available if you are struggling to deal with a bereavement of a loved one.
- Winston's Wish is the UK's childhood bereavement charity providing support to children and their families after the death of a parent or sibling.
- Doncaster Council’s website also has resources on dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Children, young people & families who have been bereaved by suicide have developed a new toolkit to help the people who support them in the aftermath of their bereavement, supported by Chilypep, the NHS and Local Authorities from across the region. You can download the Bereavement by Suicide toolkit through the Chilypep website.
