Christmas is, for many people,a time of family get-togethers and when friends can come together to exchange gifts and enjoy one another’s company. But for some the Festive season is a reminder of the absence of those who have died and is a time when grief can be particularly difficult, whether the death is recent or not. For people who have been bereaved there is a myriad of legal and practical issues that need to be dealt with, in addition to the emotional impact of death which can sometimes be felt for many years to come.
NHS inform now offers help and support to people experiencing these difficulties with a new ‘Bereavement Zone’ which can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk/bereavement.
The zone gives both practical advice and help with finding further sources of support to enable people to cope with the emotional aspects of grief.
Developed in partnership with the Scottish Grief and Bereavement Hub it hosts links to a variety of resources The Convener of the Scottish Grief and Bereavement Hub John Birrell says: “The new Bereavement Zone is a useful online resource for people dealing with the aftermath of a loved ones death. We know that grief is very personal and people respond to it in very different ways but the Zone offers general advice and lots of signposting for further help.”
Lynne Huckerby, Head of Health Information Services at NHS 24 says the Zone will compliment other services offered to people in emotional difficulties: “The Zone is designed to be a starting point to enable people to find the help they need for their own particular circumstances. It includes information about death and bereavement specific to certain groups such as younger people, or bereavement following a long term condition such as dementia. In addition to the Zone, NHS 24 also offers the Breathing Space service where people can receive confidential counselling over the telephone and the advisors are trained to help people in emotionally challenging times such as bereavement.”