When someone you care about dies, you will usually experience some or all of the symptoms of grief. You may feel numb, angry, guilty and very sad. We all experience grief in different ways and it will take time to get over the feelings of loss which you have. The important thing is to realise that what you are feeling is normal and that it will get better. You will never forget the person who has died and eventually you will be able to think of them without it being too painful and you will be able to remember the times that made you happy.

When you grieve, the pain can sometimes feel so great that you may think that you will never get over it. These feelings can be particularly strong if the death was sudden or as a result of a suicide. The pain will ease with time but in the meantime you have to find a way to make your life more bearable.

How!
Talking about how you feel and about the person who has died can be a great help. It is alright to cry or shout if this makes you feel better. Accept offers of help. Go out with your friends and don,t feel guilty if you enjoy yourself, it does not mean that you care any less. Some people find counselling helps them to deal with what has happened.

Contact details of places to get help or info:

Lenadoon Counselling Project
A support group in West Belfast for people bereaved by suicide
Phone 028 9060 0641.

Cruse Bereavement Care
counselling for people who have been bereaved
10 College Green
Belfast
BT7 1LN
Phone 028 9043 4600
Telefax: 028 9023 2695
Web: www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk.

Cruse Bereavement Care (Omagh/Fermanagh Area)
Riverside House
Woodvale Avenue
Omagh BT79 0AU

Child Bereavement
A guide for teenagers on coping with bereavement
www.childbereavement.org.uk

Child Bereavement Service
Riverside House
Woodvale Avenue
Omagh

MIND
has a downloadable leaflet on bereavement.
www.mind.org.uk .

Foyle Cruse Bereavement Care
4 Dacre Terrace
Phone 028 7126 2941

PATHS (Positive Action to help Those bereaved by Suicide)
Confidential self-help group for those bereaved by suicide
Phone 028 8283 5302 / 028 8283 5297

Suicide Awareness Support Group
Phone: 077 8575 7839

help for young people dealing with bereavement in belfast