Grief
Communicating with bereaved people
Grief can affect us all differently but knowing how to communicate with bereaved people can make all the difference. Building on the previous post ‘Bereavement and Grief‘, here are some simple do’s and don’ts which you may find helpful: DO’S DO show that you know what has happened: say how sorry you are, by letter…
Read MoreBereavement and grief
Grief is not an illness. But we know that if a bereaved person continues to struggle with their loss and is not able to access good support at the right time, then it can sometimes become a health issue. There is simply not enough bereavement support available in our local communities; no matter how many…
Read MoreLet’s talk about death
I’ve been thinking about death a lot recently. Just saying that to people has been met with a few strange looks, some uncomfortable shuffling, and rapid changes of subject. But why? It’s life’s only true certainty, and yet many of us approach the fact with an attitude somewhere on the scale between cheerful fingers-in-ears denial…
Read MoreGrief in isolation
Grief is, for many people, a lonely and isolating experience. No-one knew your loved one quite like you did; no-one had the exact relationship with them you did; therefore there is no-one who can fully understand your loss. You can be surrounded by people – in fact especially in the early days following a bereavement…
Read MoreYou say it best… when you say something
“It’s so difficult to know what to say.” Sadly, many of us are searching for words at the moment. In these times of social distancing we find ourselves needing to find alternatives to the many non-verbal forms of communication that we usually rely on. There’s no kettle to put on or hug to give to…
Read MoreHow to help in the face of a sudden loss
When we think of sudden and traumatic death, we think probably of deaths by murder, suicide or accident. We might think of a sudden heart attack that was instantaneous and completely unforeseen. But of course, many different types of loss may be traumatic for the people left behind. Even when a death is ‘expected’, it’s…
Read MoreGrief and mental health – just how long is too long?
I was struck by the results of a study, carried out by the University of Stirling and widely reported in the press, that looked at the impact of the death of a friend on mental and physical health. The research found that this type of bereavement can have serious effects for up to four years…
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