National Grief Awareness Week: Understanding grief and accessing support

Posted by Victoria Walmesley on 2 December, 2024

This week is National Grief Awareness Week, an annual event to support people who are grieving and to raise awareness of the grief support that is available. The week brings together individuals, businesses and communities to acknowledge grief and to normalise conversations around it.

What is grief?

Many of us will experience a bereavement at some time in our lives. The grief that follows a bereavement can affect each of us in different ways; some people can feel overwhelmed and emotional, whereas others may feel numb. There is no right or wrong way to grieve and there is no timeframe for how long grief will last. Feelings can change from one hour to the next, and it’s normal to feel up and down when you are grieving.

How can TALKWORKS help with grief?

TALKWORKS can help if you have been affected by grief that has become more persistent and problematic over time. Our team offer Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy (PGDT) to adults age 18+ across Devon (outside Plymouth which is covered by Plymouth Options) who are struggling following a bereavement that happened more than six months ago.

You do not need to see a GP or healthcare professional before contacting TALKWORKS, you can refer yourself. You can self-refer to TALKWORKS by completing the online self-referral form or by calling 0300 555 3344. As an NHS service, all of our treatment and support is available free of charge.

What other services can support with grief?

  • The Royal Devon University Hospital can provide support and assistance to bereaved relatives and carers by helping you through the procedures that need to take place following a death. They can also advise on practical matters such as who to contact to arrange a funeral, as well as providing information on tissue donation if this is something your loved one would have wanted.
  • Cruse offer one-to-one support from a grief specialist for adults who are grieving. The charity can also help children and young people.
  • Pete’s Dragons support people who have been impacted by suicide. Their support includes a one-to-one listening service, grief recovery courses, resource packs and regular workshops.
  • Bereavement Advice Centre offers support and advice on practical issues to manage after a death.

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