The Death of The Queen and dealing with loss
Written by Chloe Hall
With the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the country has been plunged into a period of reflection. Reports of the events around her life, her death, and her funeral have been all encompassing.
Outpourings of loss and grief have filled the news and our social media feeds. Personal anecdotes have appeared next to official statements, and many people have been surprised by powerful feelings of sadness.
Emotional responses to death
Death always leads to a range of different responses and reactions. The death of Queen Elizabeth II, a globally acknowledged figurehead who reigned for 70 years, a presence in all of our lives, has inevitably sparked personal reflections for many people, including memories of personal bereavement.
This can be surprising, taking us off guard, making it all the more difficult to deal with, or even understand. These spontaneous feelings of loss can seem totally overwhelming, as they’re powerful, sincere, and coming from a loss we had often thought we had dealt with.
How to deal with grief
Everyone has a different way of coping/reacting to death. There is no right or wrong way to process it.
It is a perfectly understandable, natural reaction to feel saddened by the death of a public figure. If you are finding that global events or personal experiences have left you feeling symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression, it may be a good idea to take some time to reflect on and process your feelings.
For instance, when sharing reactions to the Queen’s death, or a personal bereavement, talking with a sympathetic listener should help you feel supported and listened to. Given the difficult times in which we find ourselves, perhaps pulling together and, above all, remaining sympathetic to one another is an affirming way to move on.
Additional resources to deal with loss
The NHS offers advice on grief, loss and bereavement. They also list symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Our blog offers advice on a variety of mental health issues, including coping with bereavement. Sometimes just getting some extra information can prove to be a positive first step.
Our mental health services directory, Wellbeing West London, can help you find mental health services near you.
Our Safe Space service may also be able to help. We provide an alternative to A&E for people experiencing a mental health crisis, and can give advice, support, or just listen.
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Posted on: 27th September 2022
