What is grief?

Grief is our body’s natural and emotional response to the loss of someone or something significant to us. Whether it's the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a big life change, grief is a really important way we cope, make sense of the world, and find hope for the future.

Grief and loss are deeply personal experiences. What may be a devastating loss for you may not be for someone else, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean your grief is any less valid. Ultimately, how you feel after a loss will be directly related to the meaning or value it holds for you.

It’s common to experience grief after:

• The death of a loved
• Suicide bereavement
• The loss or death of a pet
• Experiencing pregnancy loss
• Relationship breakdowns, estrangements, and divorce
• Job loss or career change
• Moving to a new location
• Natural disasters
• Changes in mental and physical health.

Losing someone or something important to us can result in secondary losses, too.

For example, the main income earner of a household passing away can result in the loss of financial security; the loss of a job can result in the loss of identity; and the loss of caring for a loved one can result in a loss of purpose and connection. This is why you might feel like you’re grieving multiple things at once.

While grieving is a natural and helpful process, it is also a really painful experience that can impact us mentally, emotionally, and physically.

As a society, we don’t often acknowledge just how hard it can be to process the wide range of emotions and physical impacts that can come with grief. This can make you feel alone and like you’re the only one who’s ever felt this way.

Grieving is an experience that nearly all of us will go through at some point in life, and there isn’t a right or wrong way to do it. Wherever you are in your grief journey, it’s important that you’re giving yourself time and permission to fully process your loss.

It’s also important to reach out for support if you feel like your grief is making it hard to go about day-to-day life.

In this topic, you’ll find information and resources that can help you understand:

• How different types of grief can impact your mental and physical health
• Practical things you can do to feel better right now and in the long term
• What to expect when grieving after losing someone to suicide
• Ways you can support someone who’s experiencing grief and loss.

Download our grief & loss factsheet.