Grief Loss and Bereavement Crisis Support Worldwide

Gentle support after loss

Grief, Loss & Bereavement Crisis Support – Worldwide

This page is for people experiencing grief, bereavement, sudden loss, traumatic loss, complicated grief, pet loss, relationship loss, or emotional crisis after someone or something important has changed or gone.

Grief can feel heavy, confusing, numb, angry, lonely, shocking, or overwhelming. You do not need to grieve “properly.” You deserve support in the way your heart, body, and mind can manage.

If grief feels unsafe right now

If you may harm yourself, feel unable to stay safe, have taken something, are at risk, or feel like you cannot get through this moment safely, contact emergency services now or go to the nearest emergency department.

New Zealand: 111
Australia: 000
United States / Canada: 911 or 988 where available
UK / Europe: 999, 112, or your local emergency number

Gentle content notice

This page mentions grief, bereavement, death, sudden loss, suicide bereavement, trauma, emotional crisis, self-harm risk, and urgent support. Please read slowly and pause whenever you need to.

Grief has no perfect timeline

You may feel waves of sadness, anger, numbness, guilt, confusion, relief, shock, or nothing at all. Grief can change day to day, and support can still help even when words feel impossible.

You can ask for simple support

You do not need to explain the whole loss. You can say: “I am grieving and I do not want to be alone right now.”

Quick support steps for right now

Choose one small step. Grief can make everything feel too big, so the next step can be tiny.

Tell one safe person

Send a short message: “I’m grieving and I need someone to check in with me.”

Lower the demands

Pause non-urgent tasks. Focus on water, food if possible, rest, medication, safety, and one supportive contact.

Use urgent support if needed

If grief is making you feel unsafe, contact emergency services, a crisis line, text/chat support, or a trusted person now.

Small grief grounding step

Place your hand on something steady: a blanket, table, wall, or safe object.
Name the date and where you are.
Say: “This is grief. This is a wave. I do not have to carry it alone.”
Take one sip of water if you can.
Contact one person or support pathway.

What grief, loss, or bereavement crisis may look like

Grief is not only sadness. It can affect the body, thinking, memory, sleep, relationships, and safety.

Area	What it might look like	Helpful next step
Emotions	Sadness, anger, numbness, guilt, shock, fear, relief, loneliness, or emotional waves.	Let one safe person know you are struggling, even with one sentence.
Body	Exhaustion, tight chest, nausea, headaches, crying, no appetite, sleep changes, or feeling frozen.	Choose body basics: water, rest, warmth, food if possible, medication, and safety.
Thinking	Confusion, replaying memories, disbelief, regret, “what if” thoughts, or difficulty focusing.	Write one thought down, reduce decisions, and ask for practical help.
Safety	Feeling unable to cope, wanting to disappear, self-harm urges, or suicidal thoughts.	Reach out for urgent support now: emergency services, crisis line, text/chat, or trusted person.

If this is happening to you

If grief feels too heavy, you do not have to process the whole loss right now. Focus on safety, support, and one gentle next step.

Try this first

Move somewhere safer or quieter if possible.
Stay near another person if you do not feel safe alone.
Use text/chat if speaking feels too hard.
Ask someone to help with food, transport, calls, or sitting with you.
Contact emergency or crisis support if you may not stay safe.

Copy-and-send message

“I’m grieving and I’m not coping well right now. I don’t want to be alone. Can you check in, sit with me, or help me contact support?”

If you are supporting someone who is grieving

Grief support is often about presence, patience, practical help, and listening — not fixing.

What can help

Say their person, pet, or loss matters.
Offer specific help: food, transport, calls, paperwork, sitting together.
Check in again after the first few days and weeks.
Take safety concerns seriously.

What to avoid

Do not rush them to “move on.”
Do not minimise the loss.
Do not compare grief or force positivity.
Do not leave them alone if they may not stay safe.

Helpful phrase

“I’m here with you. You do not have to talk if words are too much. We can take this one moment at a time.”

Worldwide grief, loss & bereavement support contacts

Contact options can change, so check official service pages where possible. If there is immediate danger, use your local emergency number first.

New Zealand / Aotearoa

Emergency: 111
1737: free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Lifeline NZ: 0800 543 354 or free text 4357
Victim Support: 0800 842 846 for people affected by crime, suicide, sudden death, or traumatic events

Australia

Emergency: 000
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Griefline: grief and loss support for Australia
Beyond Blue: mental health support, including grief-related distress

United States

Emergency: 911
988 Lifeline: call, text, or chat 988 for emotional distress and crisis support
Local grief support: ask hospitals, hospices, community health services, or bereavement organisations

Canada

Emergency: 911
9-8-8 Canada: call or text 9-8-8 for suicide crisis support
Local grief support: use provincial, hospice, community, or bereavement support pathways

United Kingdom

Emergency: 999 or 112
Samaritans: 116 123, free any time
Cruse Bereavement Support: grief and bereavement support
NHS urgent mental health: NHS 111 or local urgent mental health services

Ireland

Emergency: 112 or 999
Samaritans: 116 123
Local support: use GP/doctor, emergency department, crisis team, hospice, or bereavement pathways

Europe

Emergency: 112 in many European countries
Local support: use country-specific crisis, mental health, hospice, or bereavement support pathways
Language access: ask for interpreter or translated support where available

International / worldwide

Find a Helpline: search by country and topic, including grief and loss, depression, trauma, self-harm, and suicide prevention
Befrienders Worldwide: international emotional support and suicide prevention directory

Open location support

If you are unsure what to use

Choose the safest urgent option: emergency services for immediate danger, a crisis line/text/chat service if you may not stay safe, or a trusted person who can sit with you while support is contacted.