Mental health problems can be caused by or exacerbated by bereavement, and prolonged grief can include “significant emotional distress and changes to a person's level of functioning”. We are seeing more complex cases with young people (YP), many have thoughts around suicide ideation, and there are far more safeguarding issues than 5 years ago. Body image is frequently a major difficulty in the YP’s lives and means that they are often more vulnerable as a direct consequence of their bereavement.

We provide an early advice line and counselling and/ or wellbeing support that is tailored to the person’s own individual needs, based on a two-stage initial assessment. We help YP express their feelings and grief, remember their loved one in a meaningful way and develop positive coping strategies that can be used in all areas of their life. We can provide support at outreach centres, to reduce the time and money spent on travelling, and outdoors counselling sessions, depending on the YPs needs.