Grief and bereavement

Grief and bereavement are normal reactions to the loss of a loved one. Each individual experiences this in their own way and in their own time.

Emotions in grief are normal but can at times feel overwhelming or confusing.
These emotions can include feelings of:

• Sadness
• Guilt
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Loneliness and isolation
• Helplessness
• Fatigue and emptiness
• Shock
• Relief

Grief and bereavement can also affect your thoughts, behaviour and physical health.
Common experiences in grief include:

• A sense of disbelief
• Intrusive thoughts
• Hearing or seeing things that are not there, especially in the early stages
• Being unsocial
• Isolation or withdrawal
• Crying
• Changes in eating or sleeping
• Physical symptoms such as a lack of energy, or a feeling or tightness in your throat or chest

Support from healthcare providers is available if your grief persists and affects your ability to carry on your day-to-day activities. They can also help if you experience hallucinations or if feelings of depression and anxiety are sustained over time. Professional support can help improve your mental health after the loss of a loved one.

Helping someone who has experienced bereavement

Family and friends can find it difficult to talk about loss and death to a loved one who is grieving for fear of “making a mistake.” Letting them know that you are available to talk and listen to them is one of the ways you can show support. Here are a few other ways that you can help someone who has experienced bereavement:

• Recognize the loss and be in contact. While it can sometimes feel uncomfortable to talk about death or loss, contacting someone who has experienced bereavement can lessen their feelings of sadness or isolation.
• Think about the best way to stay in touch. Each individual experiences grief and bereavement in their own way and appreciate different ways to be in contact. For instance, some individuals may appreciate an in-person visit or a phone call, but others can find this overwhelming and prefer text messages or direct messages. Ask the bereaved loved one how they would prefer to be in contact.
• Give your loved one space. Let them know that you are thinking of them, and that they can reply to your message if or when they feel able to. Giving them the possibility of not having to respond to a message can lessen their feeling of guilt if they are finding it difficult to acknowledge every message. Ask the bereaved loved one how much space they need so that you can respect their needs while staying in contact to lessen their feeling of isolation.