Bereavement
Grief is a natural response to losing someone. There is no “right” way to grieve, and support is available if you are struggling.
- Updated August 2026
- Clinical review pending
- 2 sources
At a glance
- Grief affects everyone differently — there is no single “right” way.
- Support is available if grief feels overwhelming or long-lasting.
On this page (3 sections)
Overview
Grief is a natural response to loss. Feelings can come in waves and vary a lot from person to person, and there is no fixed timeline for how long it takes [1].
Getting support
Talking to people you trust, and giving yourself time, can help. If grief feels overwhelming, goes on for a long time, or affects your daily life, a GP can talk through further support, including counselling and bereavement services [1].
Getting urgent help
If you need urgent help with your mental health, you can call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option, or use 111 online [2]. You can also call the Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time, or Childline on 0800 1111 if you are under 19 [2]. If anyone’s life is at risk — for example through serious self-harm or an overdose — call 999 or go to A&E [2].
Sources
- NHS. Mental health (opens in new tab) Accessed 12 August 2026.
- NHS. Where to get urgent help for mental health (opens in new tab) Last reviewed 26 April 2023. Accessed 12 August 2026.
About this page
- Written by
- Consumer Health editorial team
- Medical review
- Pending — this page has not yet been reviewed by a named clinician. Read our medical review policy.
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Next review due
- August 2027
Important: This information is for general guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional — such as your GP or pharmacist — for advice about your individual circumstances, and do not start, stop or change any prescribed treatment based only on this page. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 999. Consumer Health is an independent health-information resource and is not the NHS or a government body.
Was this page helpful?Your feedback helps us improve.