Seek help if you’re grieving

2 December 2021

Derbyshire Police Federation chair Tony Wetton has encouraged members to open up about bereavement and loss, and to seek support if they’re grieving.

Tony says the impact of the pandemic could mean that many people are grieving for the loss of loved ones and that those feelings could be heightened as we enter the Christmas period.

A recent study by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy found that 17 per cent of UK adults feel stressed or anxious about Christmas this year. Being reminded of a passed away loved one was one of the most common reasons (15 per cent).

Tony said: “As a country, and as families and individuals, we’ve been through so much in the last two years and many will have lost loved ones.

“Christmas can be a difficult time. There can be a lot of pressure to have a perfect Christmas but for many people – including some of our members – it’s not like that and it’s a time when they reflect on absent loved ones.

“It’s okay to feel emotions. It’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to take time for ourselves, to talk about it or to seek support if we need it.”

Tony was speaking at the start of Grief Awareness Week, which runs from today (2 December) until 8 December.

Run by the Good Grief Trust, the week aims to raise awareness of the impact of grief and to break the taboo around talking about it.

Police Mutual, which provides financial services and welfare support to the police, has produced an information sheet to provide advice, guidance and support for coping with bereavement and grief. There’s also advice on how to help and support children.

Read the Police Mutual publication.