Good to Talk · Helping a mate · Free. Always.
You don't have to make grief better
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. If you need urgent mental-health help but it is not an emergency, in England call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option or use NHS 111 online where appropriate.
You cannot fix the fact that somebody died. You can make sure the person grieving does not have to carry every part alone.
Say their name
Many grieving people would rather hear the person mentioned than feel everybody is avoiding the subject.
Offer concrete help
Food, lifts, paperwork, childcare, walking the dog or simply sitting with somebody can be useful when concentration and energy are poor.
Keep showing up later
Support often floods in immediately and fades while grief remains. Remember anniversaries and check in after the initial weeks.
Useful next pages
Trusted help & further reading
- NHS — where to get urgent help for mental health
- NHS Every Mind Matters — helping others
- Samaritans — if you're worried about someone else
This section is practical guidance, not emergency or clinical care. If somebody's safety is at immediate risk, use emergency services.