Help is available for those who are struggling to work through their grief.

Support resources available to the bereaved:

• Psychologists or psychiatrists
• Grief counselors
• Professional support groups
• Educational classes
• Peer-led support groups
• Local hospice agencies

It is important to know when grief has turned into something more serious and a medical professional should be contacted. Grief can result in depression or alcohol and drug abuse, and if left untreated it can become severe enough to affect daily living.

A medical professional should be contacted if:

• You are using excessive amounts of drugs, or alcohol.
• You become very depressed, or you have prolonged depression that interferes with your daily life.
• You have an inability to focus on anything but your loved one’s death.
• Persistent pining or longing for the deceased person.
• Thoughts of guilt or self-blame.
• You believe that you did something wrong or could have prevented the death.
• You feel as though life isn’t worth living; lost your sense of purpose in life, wish you had died along with your loved one.