Dealing with a loss can be difficult and overwhelming at times. It’s okay to reach out if you’re not coping because there is help for grief and you can overcome it.
What is grief?
Grief is how we naturally respond to losing someone or something important to us- whether it’s the death of someone close to you, losing a friendship, the death of a pet, or even a missed opportunity. To better understand grief you can read this article. Some signs that show that you need help with grief include; feeling like you’re stuck and can’t get over your grief, symptoms of depression, being overwhelmed with emotions and feeling hopeless. But don’t despair, you can recover from your loss by reaching out for help from these organisations below.
Khululeka
Khululeka is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that offers mental health support for children and young adults. They especially focus on grief support services and resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, you can contact them by calling (+27) 21 685 1128 or emailing admin@khululeka.org.
The Compassionate Friends
The Compassionate Friends is a non-profit organisation (NPO) that supports parents (and siblings) who’ve lost a child. They connect with those who need support on a personal level by forming friendships built on empathy and understanding. They assist in helping loved ones through the grieving period and encourage physical and mental health. They also play a role in educating society on how to be supportive to those who may be grieving. So, if you or someone you know need an understanding friend, you can WhatsApp this organisation on (084) 332-1876 Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Hope House
Hope House is a Christian NGO that supports those who are hopeless and hurting by offering counselling services. They help everyone regardless of race, religion, culture, etc. Their offices are based in Cape town for face-to-face counselling and care, but they also have online counselling sessions via their WhatsApp on 084 557 7525.
Lifeline
Life line is an NGO that provides free face-to-face and online counselling. They assist people by providing them with helpful resources on coping with stress, and ensure that they improve their emotional health. You can WhatsApp them on 065 989 9238 for free, confidential counselling.
South African Depression and Anxiety Group
SADAG is an NGO that offers mental health help and awareness. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, you can contact them and they can help you get the mental health support you need by providing helpful resources and counselling. You can contact them by calling 011 234 4837.
We all grieve differently- the most important thing is that you should try and face your emotions instead of avoiding them. This is because grief that isn’t dealt with can resurface and make it hard for you to move on with your life. Going through grief is a normal part of life and there’s nothing wrong with getting help for it. Always take care of yourself, and be patient with your progress.
