Grief and loss

Feelings of loss and grief can be really strong when you lose something or someone. It might be the death of someone close, the end of a relationship or friendship, or if you have to move away from friends and family that you love.

Dealing with grief

Losing someone you care about can be a painful experience; you can feel shock, sadness, anger and a sense of loneliness. Grieving can take time but there are things you can do to cope:

• Express how you are feeling. If you do not want to talk about it, consider expressing your thoughts in other ways. Write a poem or journal, put notes and memories in your phone, or write a ‘goodbye’ letter to the loved one you’ve lost.
• Remember that grief is normal and it’s okay to be sad. It will take time for the sense of sadness to ease, and it’s important to remember it may never go away completely.
• Keep healthy—eat well and stay physically active.

Dealing with loss

The feelings of loss and grief can also be really strong when you lose something. It might be at the end of a relationship or friendship, or if you have to move away from friends and family that you love.

If you have moved then keep in regular contact with your friends, get involved in your new community and create some space in your new home that makes you feel comfortable straight away.

If your feelings of sadness are because you have ended a relationship, you might find it helpful to talk to someone, treat yourself to something nice and remind yourself that it can take a while to get over a relationship break up.

Read more about dealing with loss and grief.

Read about coping with family break-up.

When to get help

After experiencing a significant loss, it is common for people to be affected for some time. You might not be doing so well at work, school or uni and might be experiencing changes in your relationships with families or friends. This may include developing a mental health problem, such as depression or anxiety.

• Know the signs of depression.
• Take the anxiety and depression checklist.

Where to get support

Sometimes you need more than the help of your friends and family. There are a range of health professionals available to support you while you recover.

Support groups, websites and helplines can also be a great help.

• beyondblue Support Service
  Talk – 1300 22 4636
  Chat
  Email
• Kids Helpline
  Talk – 1800 55 1800
  Chat
  Email
• Lifeline
  Talk – 13 11 14
  Chat