Shared experience of grief
When loss happens through tragedy, people can experience shared feelings of pain. If you have been affected by the horrific incident that took place in Southport, in this article we share some ways you can support yourself and advice for others.
The horrific incident that took place in Southport has left families, a community, and a nation grieving.
When loss happens through tragedy, people can experience shared feelings of pain.
Whether you knew those killed or injured in Southport personally or not, people are talking about the myriad of emotions that grief can throw up.
Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar were killed as they attended a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Witnessing or hearing shocking details about this event will possibly have stirred up difficult memories and feelings, including about your own experiences of grief. The scenes of conflict since have been shocking, confusing and upsetting.
Everybody grieves differently. Some of the things you might be feeling include numbness, shock, pain, anger, anxiety, guilt or fear.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to know someone personally to be affected by their death. Knowing that many other people feel sad might give you ‘permission’ to grieve or to reflect on your personal experiences. Shared grieving is known as ‘collective grief.’ There have been many examples over the past couple of weeks of communities coming together to pay tribute to the young lives lost and to offer support to those impacted. It can be important to take the time to grieve for the young girls who lost their lives and process your own feelings – seeking space for yourself or the company of others who care for you.
Here are some ways to support yourself or advice for others:
Manage what you view or read – news stories can continue for weeks and months after a traumatic event. Limit or control your exposure to media sources (such as social media, TV, radio and newspapers) if you feel this would be beneficial.
Remembering – attend a memorial, write a poem or take time to reflect on the lives lost.
Get involved – many people find that actions such as volunteering or making a donation can be helpful.
Talk – seek support and talk to someone about your feelings. Our helpline is available for those who want to speak to a trained bereavement volunteer.
Journal – writing down your thoughts can help to make sense of the way you are feeling.