Grief Awareness Week 2023

National Grief Awareness Week takes place from December 2nd to December 8th.

The week is dedicated to raising awareness about grief, providing support to those who are grieving, and fostering a better understanding of the grieving process. It is a period for individuals, organisations, and communities to come together to acknowledge and address the various aspects of grief.

We spoke to Abbie Lycett, Mid and North Powys Mind Bereavement Support Service Coordinator and Supported Self Help Practitioner, about support the service offers to people living in Powys.

Abbie says: “Bereavement is the experience of losing someone important to us. It is characterised by grief, which is the process and range of emotions we go through as we gradually adjust to the loss.

“Losing someone important to us can be emotionally devastating - whether that be a partner, family member, friend or pet.

“It is natural to go through a range of physical and emotional processes as we gradually come to terms with the loss.”

Bereavement affects everyone in different ways, and it's possible to experience any range of emotions.

“There is no right or wrong way to feel and there is no time limit on grief,” Abbie continues.

“And this varies hugely from person to person. The time spent in a period of bereavement will be different for everybody.

“There is a traditional model of grief, portraying grieving as ‘stages’ that we go through: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.

“Sometimes people think that going through the stages means our grief gets less over time.

“Grief counsellor Dr Lois Tonkin created a different model proposing we can and do grow around our grief, with new experiences and life adjustments.

“Some people find this helpful as it means we are not expected to ‘lose’ our sense of loss over time but to assimilate our bereavement into our lives.”

MIND has put together a list of things that can help following a bereavement:

• Look after yourself – take time out to sleep, rest, think, and be with people you are close to

• Talk about your feelings and what has happened

• Try to keep your life as normal as possible after the acute grief

• Tell people what you need

• Children experience similar feelings so let them talk about their emotions and express themselves creatively

• It helps your child to go back to school. Let them keep up with their other activities and let their teacher know what has happened.

• Accidents are more common after severe stress so be careful

Mid and North Powys Mind also offer a free 1-2-1 Service to support adults, young people and children across Powys to process their feelings of loss and grief.

A volunteer Bereavement Supporter who has experienced loss and undergone extensive training works alongside you on a one-to-one basis, listening and helping you work through your grief in your own way.

Each session lasts roughly an hour and support continues for an average of 6 sessions.

Sessions can be face-to-face and/or via telephone/Zoom, depending on what works for you.

Anything you say is kept in the strictest confidence unless someone’s safety is at risk.

Abbie says: “I also volunteer as a bereavement supporter. I support people in person and via the telephone.

“I have found that working alongside people who have gone through loss themselves is useful as it provides a neutral person.

“Sometimes it is easier to express yourself to somebody who does not know anything about you or the person you have lost.

“It gives them a confidential space to speak their thoughts and feelings aloud with someone who is not judgemental and treats them with unconditional positive regard.

“Sometimes it can empower people to decide what is important to them and how they can adjust to the changes in their lives that bereavement can bring.”

Mid and North Powys Mind also have two bereavement support groups. The ‘Bereavement Café’ meets in All Saints Church in Newtown on the first Friday of every month at 6.30pm.

‘Support after Suicide’ is a group specifically for people bereaved by suicide. They meet on the first Tuesday of every month in different venues across Powys. You can find more details here: https://www.facebook.com/SupportAfterSuicidePowys

Mid and North Powys Mind also give talks about bereavement to community groups and schools.

If you would like any further information and/or support, please contact Abbie via email bereavement@mnpmind.org.uk or phone 07496870039.