At some point in our lives, it is inevitable that we will experience a bereavement of some description, and suffer the associated feelings of grief, loss and sadness.
Whether it’s the death of a family member, friend, colleague or pet, the end of a long-term relationship, or a family break up, bereavement can have a profound effect on all of us, emotionally, mentally, physically and behaviourally.
And it’s no different for the individuals we support; they, too, may experience a bereavement during their time with us, so we need to equip ourselves with the knowledge, skills and understanding to support them through the difficult feelings that accompany a loss.
The impact of bereavement on individuals
For many children, young people and adults, bereavement can be challenging to navigate. How an individual responds to a bereavement is unique to them, and there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to express grief.
Some people may outwardly appear to be unaffected, but underneath might be struggling to cope, so it’s important to keep an open mind and avoid making assumptions about how an individual truly feels.
There are a number of factors that can influence the severity of an individual’s response to loss, particularly when it involves an irrevocable event such as a death. These include the strength and nature of the relationship with the deceased; whether the death was sudden or expected; what the person’s care and support network looks like; and cultural or religious factors, for example.
Some responses to bereavement might include:
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- Sadness or depression
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- Regularly feeling tearful or overwhelmed
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- Being in a state of denial
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- Panic attacks
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- Angry outbursts
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- Changes in appetite
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- Withdrawal from people, or needing company constantly
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- Sleep disturbances
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- Trouble focusing
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- Concentration issues
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- Physical symptoms, such as stomach aches, headaches
Experiencing a death as a child or young person can have long term ramifications which endure well into adulthood and can lead to mental health difficulties in later life.
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