The loss of a key public figure can have a powerful impact on us, and some people may have been reminded of past losses within their own close family or friends. While everyone experiences grief differently, our blog on understanding feelings of loss can be a useful starting point to cope with your grief and learn how to heal.
Others might feel destabilised; it’s another change following years of uncertainty. If it feels like you’re moving from one emotional state to another in light of recent news, it might help to read one of our earlier blogs about how to cope with continued uncertainty.
Feeling numb is also a normal response to grief and loss; this is our mind’s way of helping us to process what’s happened at our own pace, and access our feelings when we’re ready.
While it may seem like we’re all going through a collective experience right now, everyone's reaction will be individual and personal to them. There’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to respond after someone dies, and however you feel – even if you don’t feel strongly at all – it’s OK. We should try not to judge ourselves or others.
Ultimately, grief has its own journey; there’s no time limit, and we can’t predict or force it. Allowing yourself to acknowledge and process your feelings of sadness will help you to move through them. However, a bereavement can sometimes trigger mental health difficulties, such as depression or anxiety.
If you do find yourself struggling with feelings of bereavement or heightened anxiety, you may benefit from reaching out for support from one of these organisations:
There’s no specific cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment for grief, as it’s a natural process, but if it’s accompanied by significant low mood, distress or anxiety then CBT can help you to manage your feelings. Find out more about accessing online CBT from ieso here.
Mental health affects us all. This means it's essential that mental health services are equally available to everyone, everywhere. This World Mental Health Day, 10th October, we explore the right to access care.
This week is National Work Life Week, a campaign led by the charity, Working Families, to get people talking about wellbeing at work and work-life balance.
Have you noticed a change in a friend or family member’s behaviour or mindset? Maybe they’re isolating themselves, worrying more than usual or acting erratically. Here are some tips on how you can support them.