Grief and Bereavement

Bereavement is the experience of losing some close to us.  Feeling lost after a breakdown of a relationship, the death of a loved one, family member, friend or a pet is a normal way to feel.

It is natural to express a range of physical and emotional feelings after a loss. Grief is a normal and natural response to a loss. We can also feel grief when our personal circumstances change, such as losing a job or moving to a different area.

It is important to remember that bereavement affects people in different ways. There is no right or wrong way to feel.

When we are bereaved, we can feel:

• Sad
• Depressed
• Anxious
• Overwhelmed
• Lost and alone
• Lonely
• Guilty
• Like crying all the time
• Empty
• Angry

These are all a reaction to your loss. There is no exact time when these feelings are going to go away or get easier. They are your feelings.

Self-help advice

• Find out more about grief and how it can be managed. See our self-help resources below.
• Find support, reassurance and information on how to manage your grief by attending a course. See our self-help courses below.
• Try talking about your feelings to a friend or family member. Or you may find it helpful to get involved in activities going on in your local area. There may be a support group nearby. Find out what’s going on in your area by visiting our ‘in your area’ page.
• Make sure you are looking after yourself. There are simple things we can all do to help look after our mental health. Visit our ‘looking after yourself’ section for more information and advice.
• You don’t need to experiences these feelings alone. Talk to someone you trust or see our ‘if you need further help’ section below. There are many free services who can offer support or a listening ear.
• If you have been bereaved by suicide, we have a free support service in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area. See details on the 2Wish service below.
• If you or someone you know need urgent help – go to our ‘urgent help’ page immediately.

If you need further help managing grief

If the information, advice, resources and courses on this page have not been helpful and/or you think you need more help, there are many free support services available.

If you live in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area, and are aged over 18, you can make an appointment with a Psychological Health Practitioner (PHP) or GP by contacting your local GP surgery. PHPs are NHS mental health practitioners who provide a free service for people experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems.

If you are under 18 or worried about someone aged under 18 and need advice/self-referral to local mental health and wellbeing services in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area, contact SPACE-Wellbeing.

Or alternatively contact another approved helpline. Some services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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