The passing of Queen Elizabeth II has seen a very sad time across United Kingdom and this feeling has been echoed around the world. During a time when we are grieving the loss of a well known figure in our community, or anyone else we hold dear, many people will experience difficulties with our mental health. Whilst we acknowledge that at some point in our lifetime we will experience grief, it does not make it easier to deal with.
There are different types of grief and loss that we can experience:
Anticipatory Grief
This is usually experienced when death is expected. However, it can be very intense and therefore it can be compared to the same feeling when someone passes away unexpectedly. Despite expecting death, we still experience great sadness, depression or loss for that person. When anticipating death it does not make grieving any easier to cope with, it provides time. Time to prepare for what the future may hold without that person around.
Secondary Loss
This is when we have acknowledged the loss of a loved one but over time, it becomes a struggle when thinking of shared things or experiences we will miss and cannot share with them. This can include things such as children growing up, attending key events in life, growing old together or doing your favourite hobby together.
Collective Grief
This is when a loss is felt by the whole community, when someone who is a significant public or popular figure passes away and it is felt by many people. Whilst these events do not impact us on a personal level, they do and can remind us of the grief and loss that we have previously experienced. This is similar to when we see that others are sad, we empathise and is can cause us to feel sad as well. Being able to process these emotions can be difficult but being able to grieve, as a community, can bring some sense of comfort allowing it to be a little easier to process our own emotions.
Grief can be overwhelming
Experiencing the loss of the Queen in the UK, has meant we came together as a nation to mourn her death and experienced collective grief. This has been an overwhelming time for many people, but it can also be a comforting one. Grieving for the loss of such a public figure has brought people together. We have realised that no one is alone in how they are feeling and although many of us did not know her personally. we understand it is ok to feel sad.
It is ok to allow yourself to grieve and experience the emotions that come with that. It is a completely natural process to cry and feel sad when you are grieving. Here is a few reminders if you are going through the grieving process:
- Remember to give yourself time and space to grieve
- Be kind to yourself and others that may also be experiencing the same loss as you
- Know that you are not alone
- Try to stay connected to friends and family to be a part of a supportive network
- Accept offers of help
- Reach out to those that are also struggling, if you are able to
- Remember it is good to talk.
If your grief is becoming too difficult to deal with or has developed into depression or anxiety, also know that Smart TMS are here to help. Contact us if you would like to find out more about TMS.
Author, Nikki,
Smart TMS Birmingham Practitioner