Life takes on a whole new level of sadness and challenge if one of your parents or your brother or sister dies while you’re still young. Among other things, it can mean:
- a huge sense of personal loss; a huge hole in your emotional wellbeing and sense of self
- big readjustments in your living arrangements and daily life (particularly when a parent dies)
- feeling different and separated from friends who haven’t suffered anything similar.
Nobody finds bereavement easy, and you will go through all sorts of emotions whatever happens; but try to get as much help as you can.
- Make sure your school or college knows what has happened; they can offer you practical and emotional support.
- Counselling may be available through your school or your GP.
- Talk to your friends and wider family; they will want to help you.
- The long-established charity Cruse Bereavement Care has a helpline 0808 808 1677 and a special website called Hope Again particularly for young people suffering bereavement; you can share stories and find advice..
- There are also other websites set up to help young people cope with bereavement including soar.
You might also be interested in our other pages on relationships:
And our pages on mental health:
