Someone I love has died - where can I find support?
What is grief?
Grief is something we experience when someone close to us dies. There is no right or ‘normal’ way to feel, as everyone experiences grief differently.
As it is natural to have a strong reaction to someone dying, you may feel:
- Shocked about what has happened
- Pain and distress
- Anger
- Guilt
- Depression
- Longing
- Worried about other people’s reactions
When you’re grieving, it’s important not to put too much pressure on yourself to feel better.
To help you support yourself and others experiencing grief, Cruse Bereavement Care has put together a series of useful articles, including practical advice on what to do when someone dies.
Accessing support
Grief is a natural response to loss that many people will cope with through support from family and friends. However, if you want to talk to someone else, there are services, organisations and community groups that can help you.
NHS support
If you need support, you can use NHS talking therapies, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). These are free, and you can refer yourself directly.
When should you see your GP about your mental health?
You should go to the doctor if:
- You’re struggling to cope with stress, anxiety or a low mood.
- You’ve had a low mood for more than two weeks.
- Things you’re trying yourself are not helping.
- You would prefer to get a referral to a service from a GP.
What's your experience?
We know it can be hard to get support for your mental health. To understand the issues people are facing we want to hear your experience of trying to access mental health services.
What to do in a mental health crisis
If you're in a crisis and need urgent help
If you don’t feel you can keep yourself safe right now, seek immediate help by visiting your nearest A&E department or calling 999.
If you need urgent support but don't want to go to A&E:
- Call Samaritans on freephone 116 123 – they're always open and are there to listen.
- Contact your GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment.
- Contact NHS 111.
Where else can I access support?
Sheffield Mental Health Guide
Sheffield Mental Health Guide has a useful list of local and national bearevement support organisations which can be found here.
National organisations supporting children and their families
Grief Encounter is a charity supporting children and their families who have experienced the death of someone close to them.
0808 802 0111 - Monday to Friday 9am-9pm
Lullaby Trust supports families who have suffered the loss of a baby.
0808 802 6868
Winston’s Wish support children and their families after the death of a parent or sibling. If you need advice on supporting a bereaved child, phone their helpline.
0808 802 0021 - Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying and when a child is facing bereavement.
0800 028 8840 - Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
National organisations supporting young people
Hope Again is a website set up by Cruse Bereavement Care for young people.
Let’s Talk About Loss is a peer-led meetup group in cities across the UK for young people aged 18-35 who have lost someone they love.
https://www.instagram.com/talkaboutloss/
The New Normal runs grief support meetings to connect young adults who have experienced loss and are looking for others who understand.
https://www.instagram.com/tnncharity/
The Grief Network is a London based network for people bereaved as teenagers or in their 20s and 30s.
National end of life organisations
Compassion in Dying is helping people to prepare for end of life.
0800 999 2434 - Monday to Friday, 11am-3pm
Hospice UK is a national charity for hospice and palliative care.
The Anne Robson Trust has a national helpline to support people dying and their friends and family.
0808 801 0688 - Monday to Friday, 11am - 5pm
Online bereavement support
Find support on social media
Many people have set up online communities or accounts exploring grief and bereavement. For example, the UK Motherless Daughters Facebook group is a closed space for people to share their experiences and feelings.
You can find these groups by searching key words, like grief and loss, on different social media channels. Some examples that might help you are:
- The New Normal (Instagram)
- Siblings Grieve Too (Instagram)
- Live. Death. Whatever. (X)
- The Loss Project (X)
Other types of online support
- Apart of Me is a game designed to help young people cope with the death of loved one.
- The Griefcast is a podcast where comedians talk about their own experiences of death and bereavement.
- Grief Encounters is a podcast about love, life and loss.
