Bereavement
Bereavement is a time of mourning and intense grief, especially after the death or loss of a loved one. Grief is both the process and emotions we experience as we adjust to loss.
There is no right way to experience bereavement.
Losing someone important to us can be emotionally devastating – whether that be a partner, family member, friend or pet.
It is normal to go through a range of physical and emotional processes as we come to terms with the loss.
Bereavement affects everyone differently. Feelings of grief can happen because of other types of loss or changes in circumstances.
Major events resulting in death can also impact us even if we didn’t personally know those that died. They can trigger difficult emotions and remind us of other losses in our lives. And seeing others sad can make us feel sad ourselves.
How long does grief last?
There is no time limit on grief and experience varies from person to person. The time spent in a period of bereavement will be different for everybody and depends on factors such as the relationship, the strength of attachment or intimacy to the person who died, the situation surrounding their death, and the amount of time spent anticipating the death.
Self help resources
The Laura Centre
A professional bereavement service that believes in providing a safe, friendly and inclusive environment for all the family but also on an individual basis.
Advice Line: 0116 254 4341
Email: infor@thelauracentre.org.uk or online form
Child Bereavement UK
Winston’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK have joined together.
Provides emotional and practical bereavement support to children, young people and carers. Offer one-off and on-going bereavement support, online resources, specialist publications and training for professionals.
Helpline: 0800 0288840
Webchat
Email: ask@childbereavementuk.org
https://www.childbereavementuk.org
Chat Health
Chat Health is a confidential text messaging service that enables children and young people (aged 11-19) to contact their local public health nursing (school nursing) team.
Leicester City residents only text: 07520 615 386
Leicestershire & Rutland residents text: 07520 615 387
Response time: Within 24 hours, 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri (except bank holidays)
Accessed via www.healthforteens.co.uk/health/about-chathealth
Teen Health – Leicestershire and Rutland
If you are aged between 11-19 (or up to 25 years for those with SEND) and live in Leicestershire or Rutland, the Teen Health Service can help with:
Support to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing, with a focus on self esteem, body image and building resilience.
Support for healthy relationships, building positive relationships, reducing violence in intimate relationships and promoting positive sexual health and wellbeing.
Support for children and young people to make healthier choices, with a focus on reducing substance misuse (particularly cannabis use) and alcohol consumption.
The Teen Health Service has a team of Health and Wellbeing Officers that work in the community and in secondary schools, working alongside pastoral and health and wellbeing leads.
Leicestershire – https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools-colleges-and-academies/teen-health-11-19
Rutland – https://www.rutland.gov.uk/children-young-people-families/services-young-people/teen-health-service
Other helpful resources
For a list of other helpful resources see our Useful links page.
Request support
We would like you to look at the Self help resources above. If you would like a mental health nurse to review your request for support and provide some guidance, please select Request Support below.
Request Support
