Grief, and why we should all be talking about it

Richie Benson feelings and emotions, mental health support

Grief is a complex beast that impacts both our physical and mental health… so let’s get talking about it

We need to talk about grief – or explained another way, the response to the loss of someone or something, such as the death of a loved one. Nearly everyone will go through it at some point in their life, but we often don’t talk about it. There are many different ways to experience grief, and it can have a very real impact on our mental and physical health.

To get us started, we’ve come up with 5 reasons why we should be talking about grief more.

The reasons

🌧️ Grief can take many different forms, so can be hard to identify. While there is no right or wrong way to deal with it, there can certainly be healthier and unhealthier ways of learning to live with it. By talking about it more, we can be more understanding of the different ways different people experience it.

🌧️ We all will experience grief at some stage, so it’s best to be as prepared as possible to support either yourself or someone you know. And you know what, somebody you know may already be dealing with it in some form.

🌧️ Grief is something that has traditionally been hidden away, for no good reason other than people don’t know how to talk about it!

🌧️ Talk is therapy. It’s okay to be vulnerable and open with friends and family if you feel comfortable doing so. It’s worth remembering you can also seek out professional help too.

🌧️ Grief impacts both our mental and physical health. The more we talk about it, the more we can understand the impact it might be having on our health, and the health of others.

The power of talking

In summary, expressing grief isn’t about being ‘cured’ or ‘getting over it’. Grief is not an illness, or a condition – it’s something we learn to have a relationship with, and take with us everywhere we go. But for that to happen, we all need to talk about it more. Talking can be really beneficial for our own well-being, but it also helps to normalise the conversation around grief. This is the only way that we can work towards a better understanding and how best to support one another through it.

If you’re struggling with grief, there are places you can go for help and support. You don’t have to manage this alone. It can really help to talk about how you’re feeling, particularly with specially trained professionals, and you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable. You can also meet other young people going through similar experiences at events and meetups organised by charities like Let’s Talk About Loss.