We all go through loss during our lifetimes. It’s an upsetting and strange experience in that it happens to everyone. Yet, when we lose someone, we feel isolated and alone. It doesn’t have to be this way, so if you’ve recently lost someone close to you, why not consider speaking to a bereavement counsellor?
It can help you process your thoughts, which can help you positively move forward with your own life. And don’t worry, you won’t have to go out of your way to get the support as most funeral directors now provide bereavement services to their local communities.
There’s no right or wrong time to seek support either, as we all deal with grief in different ways. Several types of grief might require some professional help, such as traumatic grief and prolonged grief. These types of grief are associated with sudden deaths or traumatic events where multiple people lose their lives.
But here are some of the reasons why you might benefit from bereavement support.
You Feel Like You Can’t Move Forward:
We all experience grief at some time or another. Unfortunately, it’s a universal condition and there’s no specific mourning period. Some people feel like their lives go back to normal quite quickly after losing a loved one. Others take a long time to grieve. The most important thing is to take your time and not try to rush yourself if you’re not comfortable doing so.
However, with this being said, if you feel like you can’t move forward, then it might be worth speaking with a bereavement support councillor. Generally speaking, if you lost a loved one over a year ago and you’re still not coping, please speak to someone; it will help.
You’ve Moved On Too Quickly:
If you’ve decided to move on without dealing with grief, this is going to mentally affect you later down the line. What we mean by this is that the grief will resurface when you least expect it. One sign that you’ve moved on too quickly is telling your friends and family that you’re fine when you’re really not.
Another sign that you’ve moved on too quickly is if you’re avoiding any reminders of the deceased person. If you don’t go to places that you enjoyed together, stop listening to the music they liked or take down any photo of them, you’re avoiding grief.
You Think You Have Depression:
It’s important to know that grief isn’t depression. But grief can gradually turn into depression. If you start to get certain feelings and think you might have clinical depression, then you need to seek help as soon as you can. These feelings may be part of your natural healing process, but it’s important not to ignore them. Bereavement support can help you get through it.
Grief Is Getting in The Way of Your Career:
Of course, your mental health is going to take a turn for the worst when someone dies, and your head might feel like it’s filled with fog. And it will take you a little while to get into the rhythm of things again. However, if a number of months have passed and you get back to a decent level of functioning, you might want to speak to someone. For example, if you’re struggling to do your job and progress with your career, seek help.
Just Remember, You’re Not Alone:
If you are currently experiencing anything we’ve discussed, you may want to follow our advice and speak with a bereavement support counsellor. There’s help for everyone who is grieving. In addition to individual counsellors, there are grief support groups, funeral directors and charities that offer these services. Making searches on the internet and reading blogs can also point you in the right direction. Just remember, you don’t have to grieve alone and are certainly not alone in any respect.