GRIEF AWARENESS
“Life can feel quite frightening and knowing you will never see that person again can bring out emotions of deep sadness which are mentally and physically exhausting to cope with”
DENIAL Feeling numb, carrying on as usual, and thinking that you can hear a loved one, is very typical immediately after losing someone. Understanding we no longer see that person again can be challenging for us so choosing not to acknowledge the reality is sometimes easier for us to cope with.
BARGAINING “If I do this better”, or “if I stop doing that”, bargaining to make the pain go away or for the person to return is quite natural. We try to make ourselves feel better by taking this approach in hope our feelings of grief will subside. We may also look back on the events leading up to someone leaving us and begin questioning ourselves with “what ifs”, wishing we could change something that would stop the outcome from happening.
ANGER Feeling angry the person you loved has been taken away is normal. It is not unusual to feel what has happened is unfair, they didn’t deserve it, or life is cruel that they were taken, leaving you alone. However sometimes being angry with the person themselves can bring out feelings of guilt, all of which again are very natural.
DEPRESSION Life can feel quite frightening and knowing you will never see that person again can bring out emotions of deep sadness which are mentally and physically exhausting to cope with, becoming so intense and overwhelming to the point where you think you will never feel normal again.
ACCEPTANCE Unfortunately, there is no exact timeframe for the last piece to fall in place, and it can take months or even years to settle within. Accepting that the person has passed on will eventually lead you to a new normal. But with grief, nothing is ever simple,
and these stages can come in waves at any time during your grieving period. They can be experienced several times before finally reaching the last acceptance stage. There is no right way to grieve; it is very individual to the person and the relationship with the person who has sadly gone. The main thing is to talk if you are struggling and lean on those around you during this difficult time. However, not all of us have a strong support network, and many charities offer a great range of services to help you come to terms with your loss, allowing you to move forward with your life healthily and safely.
CHARITIES THAT FOCUS ON COPING WITH BEREAVEMENT
Cruse Bereavement Support
www.cruse.org.uk
Widowed and Young
www.widowedandyoung.org.uk
The Good Grief Trust
www.thegoodgrieftrust.org
Child Bereavement Support
www.childbereavementuk.org
Sibling Support
www.siblingsupport.co.uk
31 | POLICE | AUGUST | 2023
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