Grief and mental health

It is normal to feel intense emotions when you are grieving, including sadness, anger, guilt, confusion. For some people these feelings can trigger or worsen mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

Looking after your mental health when grieving

Here are some ways to care for your mental wellbeing after a bereavement:

• Talk to someone. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a bereavement volunteer, talking can help you feel less alone.

• Keep a routine. Even small acts—getting dressed, having regular meals, going for a walk—can help bring a sense of normality to your day.

• Be kind to yourself. Give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling.

• Seek professional help if needed. If your grief feels overwhelming or affects your daily life for a long time, you may benefit from extra support.

• Find your community. Joining a social media group, a hobby or connecting with people can help you make sense of what you are going through.

When is it time to ask for help?

We experience a wide range of feelings and physical experiences after someone dies. Usually these feelings do change over time and slowly become more manageable.  If our feelings don’t change and we start to feel ‘stuck,’ it can be useful to get support.  If you notice that it’s affecting large parts of your life – for example you can’t get to work or can’t get out of bed – it might be time to reach out for help.