How might young people feel?

  • Have difficulty managing strong emotions, becoming angry. They might end up in physical fights.
  • Get upset and feeling the death was unjust. They might ask why the person who has died had to die, and talk about wider ideas about fate and mortality.
  • Revert back to childish behaviour to feel safer.
  • Get involved with risky behaviours to distract from grief.
  • Become concerned about who will pay the bills or care for them, especially if the person who died was their primary caregiver.
  • Try to assume the role of an adult.
  • Bottle up their emotions.
  • Seek support outside their immediate family.

What can help?

The initial reactions of anger, shock and fear will reduce over time. You will have bad days and better days as you grieve.

Talk to someone

Talk to family, friends, or to someone who has had similar experiences. Your GP may be able to help if your mental or physical health is suffering. You can also contact some of the support services below.

Look after yourself

Try and get some fresh air or sunlight each day. Exercise can be really helpful, even if it’s just a walk around the block. Keeping to a routine can help, and resting even if you can’t sleep. Read more about managing grief.

Remembering

There are lots of different ways to remember someone (link). If you weren’t able to have the funeral you would have wanted, you could plan another service or memorial event when it’s possible.

If you weren’t able to say goodbye or talk to your relative or friend before they died, many people find it helps to write them a letter or find another way to say what you need to. Some people find keeping a journal is useful.

Helpful Resources:

Winston’s Wish - www.winstonswish.org.uk

Helpline: 08088 020 021
Child Bereavement UK - www.childbereavementuk.org

Helpline: 0800 02 888 40
CRUSE Bereavement Care - www.cruse.org.uk

Helpline: 0808 808 1677

Hope Again - www.hopeagain.org.uk

Helpline: 0808 808 1677

Sudden - www.suddendeath.org

Helpline: 0800 2600 400

Childhood Bereavement Network - www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk

0207 843 6309

Talk Grief - www.talkgrief.org

Helpline: 08088 020 021

The Mix - www.themix.org.uk

Helpline: 0808 808 4994