Managing grief: practical advice and support

Grief is different for everyone. There’s no ​“one size fits all” approach to grief and there’s no right or wrong way of experiencing loss. To mark this year’s Grief Awareness Week, Justine Walton, one of the Charity’s Welfare Adviser, shares advice, guidance, and the practical ways you can support yourself and others when experiencing grief.

Seeking support and connecting with others

Talking about the way you feel and putting your emotions into words when grieving can be incredibly difficult. Sometimes it’s enough to just be alongside other people. Don’t be afraid to say what you need – whether it’s having a meal made for you, getting help with admin or dealing with possessions.

Support for navigating grief and career challenges

At the Film and TV Charity, we provide six free sessions of counselling for anyone who has been bereaved. You can ask for a referral via our Support Line which is open 24/7 to provide a listening ear. If grief is a barrier to being able to work or get on with your career, you can register for support from our Work and Wellbeing Service.

Other organisations such as Mind have also produced a helpful guide to bereavement services.

Understanding the stages of grief

The psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross developed the five stages model of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance in the 1960s – but it’s not a linear process. Julia Samuels’ book, ​‘Grief Works’, is a compassionate book that will guide anyone who is grieving, there is also an accompanying app you can download.

Growing around grief

If you’re struggling, it may help to think about the ​“growing around grief” model, created by grief counsellor Lois Tonkin. This view of grief does not tell someone that their grief will go away in time. There will be some days where you feel grief as strongly as you did when the person first died. But there will also be days when you are able to move on with other parts of your life.

The ​‘growing around grief’ model shows how we can still grieve the loss of our loved one whilst carrying on with a new life which includes the loss.

Prioritising self-care during difficult times

Grief can have a huge impact on every part of our lives, and we may find it harder to do the things we normally do to look after ourselves. Try and make small steps, day by day.

Remember, our support is here whenever you need it. Our Support Line is staffed by qualified counsellors who you can call any time – day or night – for a compassionate conversation. If you think that six sessions of counselling could provide additional support at a difficult time, you can request a referral.