What is it?
- Loss & grief are complex experiences.
- Grieving is a natural response with no ‘right’ way to do it.
- Reach out to trusted adults & maintain support networks.
- Seeking professional help is a valid & healthy option.
Here's more detail
Description
Loss and grief are complex emotional experiences that can have an impact on your emotional health. Adolescence is a time when young people are learning to navigate their emotions and identities, and dealing with loss can be particularly challenging. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a pet or a significant life change, grief can trigger a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, confusion and loneliness.
It’s crucial to understand that grieving is a natural and healthy response to loss. There is no ‘right’ way to grieve, and it’s okay to express your feelings in whatever way feels most authentic to you. It can also be helpful to reach out to trusted adults, such as parents, guardians or school counselors, to talk about your feelings and seek support. Grief can be a long and ongoing process, and it’s okay to ask for help when needed.
Additionally, maintaining connections with friends and peer support networks can be beneficial. Often, talking to friends who have experienced loss can provide a sense of understanding and comfort. Remember that it’s okay to take your time in healing, and seeking professional help from therapists or grief counselors is a valid and healthy option if you find it difficult to cope with your grief on your own.
Description
- Learn more
The Mental Health Foundation explains that when we are bereaved, we can feel anxious, sad, angry, shocked, grief-stricken, withdrawn, in disbelief, guilty, sad and in denial – and experience these in no particular order. We can struggle with sleep, concentration, our appetite and making decisions. We can also experience physical pain, such as headaches and muscle pain, as well as less specific bodily reactions that are similar to feelings of anxiety.
Suggestions that might help with difficult feelings around loss and bereavement:
- Allow yourself space to be with the feelings you are experiencing
- There is no time limit to grief
- Take care of your mind and body
- Sometimes giving to others or an act of kindness can help you feel better
- Do something that makes you feel good
- Be patient with others around you who may also be struggling with loss but express it differently
- If your feelings become overwhelming, seek support
To learn more about loss, bereavement and mental health, visit the links below.
Stat
By the age of 16, around 1 in 20 young people will have experienced the death of one or both of their parents
Video
Watch this short animated film made by Child Bereavement UK. It aims to help children, young people and adults understand grief and how to manage it.
Voice
Loss affects people in a multitude of ways. It triggers a range of feelings such as guilt, anger, upset or numbness. The emotional turmoil often results in people trying to distance themselves from the emotional intimacy of vocalising their pain and being open about how they are feeling at that moment in time.
- Jack-Quwarn Francis Manu, Exposure
Some resources that may help:
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