Dec 04

National Grief Awareness Week

National Grief Awareness Week aims to raise awareness of all aspects of grief and loss, a nationwide community of people coming together to talk about an emotional, and often uncomfortable subject. With the hope of trying to normalise grief, and make available support known to those who need it. Whether you, or a colleague are experiencing loss or grief in any form, our EAP is here to help.

Grief needs immediate acknowledgment, and the early offering of a choice of tailored support.

Greif is different for everybody, it can take on many forms. There are five stages, Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. A process which has to be worked through, not necessarily in any particular order or time scale, to finally achieve acceptance. We are here to help you recognise you are not alone and can offer ways to help you through this.

The support an individual receives at the time of a death and after, is key to helping them find a way to rebuild their life, highlighting the need of support from family, friends, and your place of work. There are vital support services in the community often not known by the bereaved. This national awareness week helps raise the profile of these services and charities, dedicated to helping those who need it.

How our EAP can help grieving employees

We know that experiencing the death of someone you love or who was important to you can shake up everything – your beliefs, your sense or normality and your everyday routines.  We understand the grieving process is different for everyone, and recognise that some people become angry, some withdrawn into themselves and some people feel completely numb.  Whatever you are experiencing or feeling, our EAP bereavement counsellors are here to listen and support you when you need it the most.

Our Employee Assistance Programme is a crucial support system offering a confidential service.

We have a phone line available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to deal with any help or concerns, no matter how big or small.

Our programme offers bespoke counselling services to help employees who are experiencing grief. Managers and HR professionals are encouraged to make sure employees are aware of the grief counselling services available to them through the company’s EAP benefits.

Grief Awareness Week helps educate employers and the public to better understand how to support those who are grieving the loss of someone they love, encouraging conversations to help the bereaved feel acknowledged and understood.