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Bereavement can affect people in different ways. You may feel depressed, angry, empty, or you may be concerned because you don’t seem to be feeling anything at all.
What is bereavement?
Bereavement sometimes also referred to as grief, is a term used to describe the sense of loss felt when someone close to us or who we care about dies. It can be difficult and stressful and nearly everybody goes through it at some point in their lives.
This sense of loss may contain a range of emotions, such as sadness, anger, guilt, frustration and anxiety. Everyone experiences grief differently and there is no 'normal' or 'right' way to grieve. How we react will be influenced by many different things, including our age and personality, our cultural background and religious beliefs, our previous experiences of bereavement, our circumstances and how we cope with loss.
Sources of support and advice
Student Psychological and Counselling Services (SPCS)
Part of Student Support and Wellbeing, Student Psychological and Counselling Services (SPCS) is UCL's dedicated counselling unit. Their counsellors can support students who have experienced bereavement and work closely with other bereavement organisations in the local area.
To access counselling, students need to complete an online registration form, which can be found on the 'Accessing counselling' page through the link below.
Find out more about Student Psychological and Counselling Services and register for counselling.
UCL Chaplain and Interfaith Adviser
The Rev'd Reid Humble, the UCL Chaplain and Interfaith Adviser, is available to provide pastoral support to all students affected by bereavement, whether you identify with a faith group or not.
Email Reid to arrange a support session on chaplaincy@ucl.ac.uk.
UCL 24/7 Student Support Line
UCL 24/7 Student Support Line is a free, confidential wellbeing support service, offered in 35+ languages including sign, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
You can talk to an adviser by phone on: +44 (0) 808 238 0077.
Student Support and Wellbeing
Appointments are still available through Student Support and Wellbeing. These can take place over the phone or through video call on Microsoft Teams.
Contact us on askUCL to make an appointment with one of our advisers.
Sudden
The charity Sudden produces bereavement advice for those experiencing sudden bereavement.
It's Time Charity
The UK’s only charity solely dedicated to supporting young people who lose a parent.
Visit the It's Time Charity website.
NHS
Comprehensive guidance and signposting from the NHS.
Visit the NHS page on bereavement and young people.
The North Central London Clinical Commisioning Group have created a new NCL Suicide Prevention and Bereavement Support Service for individuals who are 18 and above and live in Camden, Islington, Haringey, Barnet and Enfield.
Find out more and access the NCL Suicide Prevention and Bereavement Support Service.
NHS Choices ‘Grief after bereavement or loss’ has information about how to cope and mental health and wellbeing.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Somewhere to turn when someone dies, Cruse offers support, information and advice.
Restoring Hope leaflet
This leaflet is about what you can do to help yourself, how others can help you, how you can help other people who may be struggling to cope after the death of someone close, and where you can get more advice and support.
Read the Restoring Hope leaflet.
Child Bereavement UK
Support for young people, up to the age of 25, who have experienced a bereavement. This site also includes Android and Apple apps that help you cope with bereavement.
Visit the Child Bereavement UK website.
Bereavement Advice Centre
Advice on practical issues when someone dies as well as coping with the grief.
Visit the Bereavement Advice Centre website.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS) exists to meet the needs of and overcome the isolation experienced by people over 18 who have been bereaved by suicide.
What's Your Grief?
What's Your Grief? offers an online supportive community, resources and discussion about grief.
Visit the What's Your Grief? website.
Good Grief Trust
The Good Grief Trust offers support and resources by others who have been bereaved.