Bereavement: Getting Support

Grief is a form of stress, so elements of self-care that help with other types of stress apply here, too.

Making sure you eat and drink well and get plenty of rest will help, as well as allowing yourself to express your feelings, whether talking with family or friends or more formal help.

Newcastle Talking Therapies is an NHS service provided by Vita Health, which offers free and confidential support covering depression, low mood, anxiety, bereavement and more.

You can connect directly with Talking Therapies – no need for a GP referral first – either through their website or by calling 0330 0534 230.

Cruse Bereavement Support is the UK’s leading bereavement charity that helps people through some of the most painful times in their lives. Cruse can help you understand your grief and offer tailored advice based on how you are feeling.

The Cruse helpline – 0808 808 1677 – receives tens of thousands of calls every year. You can talk about whatever you need, for as long and as often as you like.

Find out more at cruse.org.uk/get-support

Our Primary Care Network Team of Social Prescribers can also help if you need support with any non-medical issues that affect your wellbeing, from help with housing and benefits to finding groups or activities you might be interested in trying out. Any staff member at your GP practice can refer you to the team.

The NHS Every Mind Matters website has a wealth of support ranging from help with sleep and work-related stress to loneliness and bereavement.

Marie Curie Hospice has a new service to support people experiencing loss and grief. There is also a specialist terminal illness service.

Age UK England has a helpful video that explains more about talking therapies and how they can help you.

St Oswald’s Hospice supports children from the ages of 4 to 18 years to come to terms with grief and loss.

The Muslim Initiative is a community association based in Newcastle upon Tyne that offers bereavement and burial advice.

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind has a telephone support line that offers listening, practical, and emotional support to anyone over 16. It’s open seven days a week, from 8 am to 10 pm.