Grief and young people: how to cope with loss

No matter who you are, dealing with bereavement is one of the most challenging things you can go through in life. The experience can be so shattering, it's difficult to put into words - and it certainly isn't the sort of thing that can be worked through in a few days or weeks.

If you're facing this as a young person, you may feel that it has come at an especially difficult time. As well as dealing with all the many pressures and challenges every teenager faces, you are now forced to grapple with something heavy and overwhelming.

This can be an isolating experience, particularly if you're the first person in your friend group to lose someone close to you. It probably doesn't help that so much of the advice about grief is targeted at adults.

What you may be feeling

If that's you, know that it's normal to struggle at this time, and that whatever you're feeling (or not feeling!), there's nothing wrong with you for feeling it. Stevie Goulding, co-manager of the YoungMinds Parents Helpline, points out that everyone grieves differently.

"Some young people may feel angry, sad or depressed, while others may feel guilty, relieved or numb. The way someone grieves can also be influenced by their culture, beliefs and how their family or community understands loss," she says.

This means you might have a very different reaction to what has happened to other people you know. In some cases, you might not feel anything for a while, and that's OK too. You might have good days and bad days, or times when you're thinking about something else, only for the painful feelings to catch you unawares.

On the other hand, you might have moments where the pain lifts briefly - for example, when you find yourself laughing and having fun. These moments are not a sign you didn't care enough, and you mustn't let yourself feel guilty about them.

"If you're finding it hard to express your feelings, you could try different things to help," says Goulding. "Writing a letter to the person you've lost, telling them all the things you want to say to them, or creating a memory box dedicated to them, reminding you of all the good times you had, might be a good first step. Or, if you want to tell someone else about how you're feeling and don't know how to, you could write them a letter instead. Some people also find it helpful to keep a journal of how they're feeling, or to express themselves through art."

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How to ask for help

In some cases, you may feel physically unwell, or have problems with sleep and concentration. In the face of something so life-altering, all of this is normal - however, that doesn't mean you have to shut down and face it all alone.

"If you're struggling to come to terms with a death, find that it's interfering with your daily life and things don't seem to be getting any better, it can help to talk to someone," says Goulding. "Tell a trusted friend, family member or teacher how you're feeling. If you're feeling very worried or upset, you can talk to your GP about counselling and professional support."

She adds that there are specific charities that can help, and have lots of information available for young people. These include Winston’s Wish, Hope Again, and Let's Talk About Loss. Some of these offer online chat services and helplines, while others offer peer support (talking to other young people who've been through a bereavement). You can also visit the YoungMinds website for more information and advice.

The most important thing to remember is that grieving takes time, and that it will be a process with many ups and downs. You deserve to be supported through this process. While nobody can change what has happened, other people can be there for you, and you shouldn't be afraid to reach out to friends and family who you think might understand.

Tips for parents and caregivers

If your child is grieving, it can be overwhelming to see them in so much pain - and supporting them through the process can be especially tough if you're grieving too. While the form that grief takes can be different for every child, be aware that it goes beyond sadness, and that you may need to help them cope with messier feelings like anger, panic, numbness and resentment.

"Talk to your child about the loss they've experienced in an age-appropriate way, and let them know it's OK to feel however they feel," says Goulding. "Try to be empathetic and non-judgemental about how they're feeling and focus on providing emotional support and listening to them. Reassure them that you love them and they can talk to you whenever they need to. If you think your child needs some space, it's OK to give them that too. Sometimes it helps just to sit together quietly or to offer a gentle hug."

From a very practical standpoint, it's a good idea to reach out to their school and let them know what's happened, to see if they can provide any support or adjustments.

"Encourage your child to keep doing activities they enjoy, and try to keep normal routines going, but don't put pressure on them if they don't feel up to it," says Goulding. "Although grief doesn't have a set timescale, if your child is struggling to cope over a prolonged period of time, it may help to speak to your GP about counselling services and support they could access."

This is especially important if your child is depressed and withdrawn, if they're refusing to go to school, or if you suspect they're engaging in risky behaviours like alcohol abuse or self-harming. No matter what your child is going through, there are professionals out there who are trained to help them through it.

"You can also let your child know about charities and helplines that can help. There are some more tips for parents on the YoungMinds website," says Goulding.