Bereavement and counselling

Some people may feel they need a more professional form of emotional support than friends and relatives can provide. This support can be offered by a counsellor, or a child or family psychologist. Adults can get referrals for professional help from your GP and for children, through their school or social worker. There are also a number of helplines that provide free counselling over the phone.

Contents:


Factsheet: Would it Help to Talk?

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has produced a factsheet about bereavement and counselling called 'Would it Help to Talk?'

Read the factsheet

Helplines for bereavement and counselling

Organisations that provide bereavement and/or counselling support on their websites and helplines are listed below:

  • Child Bereavement Trust
    Helpline: 01494 44 66 48
    Website: www.childbereavement.org.uk
  • Child Death Helpline
    Helpline: 0800 282 986 (open every evening from 7-10 pm; Monday to Friday 10am-1pm except Wednesday 1-4 pm)
  • Compassionate Friends - Support bereaved parents and their families.
    Helpline: 0845 1203 304
    Website: www.tcf.org.uk A part of their website is dedicated to siblings who have lost a brother or sister www.tcfsiblingsupport.org.uk
  • Cruse Bereavement Care
    Youthline (12-18 yrs): 0808 808 1677
    Website: www.rd4u.org.uk
    Adult Helpline: 0844 477 9400
    Website: www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
  • Samaritans - Provides 24 hours a day confidential emotional support.
    Helpline: 08457 90 90 90
    Website: www.samaritans.org
  • Support Line - Provides confidential emotional support to any individual on any issue. Lots of information about emotional issues on their website. 
    Tel: 02085549004
    Website:www.supportline.org.uk
  • Winston's Wish - Support to bereaved children and young people to rebuild their life after a family death. Helpline: 0845 203 0405 www.winstonswish.org.uk