Experiences of loss and bereavement can be difficult to cope with and can lead to a dip in our mental health and wellbeing. Each person has their own mechanisms for managing loss and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. It is natural to experience a range of emotions as it is part of coming to terms with bereavement or loss. Grief can trigger many different feelings which can include sadness, exhaustion, anger, shock, numbness, guilt and anxiety. All of these feelings are normal and by giving yourself time to grieve, they can become manageable.
Coping with Grief and Loss
Although you may feel like you want to be alone when you are grieving, reaching out to someone and leaning on others for support can help. Sharing your feelings surrounding grief with family, friends, or mental health professionals can help you process the loss. Here are some helpful tips on how to process grief: being patient and gentle with yourself as you go through the process, understand that everyone has their own way of managing grief and you are no different, seek out emotional support from those around you, and give yourself the time needed to grieve.
Bereavement Support
- You can find the National Suicide Bereavement Support Guide, You Are Not Alone: Support for people who have been bereaved by suicide national-suicide-bereavement-support-guide.pdf (hse.ie)
- Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line 1800 80 70 77.
- Shapes of Grief website offers resources and workshops for those experiencing loss.
- Anam Cara provide parental and sibling support after child loss.
- Living Links Limerick provide support to those bereaved by suicide.