Dying Matters Week is an initiative to raise public awareness about the importance of talking more openly about dying, death and bereavement
While for many the month of May, heralds the start of exams and we begin to enjoy the first glimpses of Summer, the South Eastern Trust Bereavement Co-ordinator Donna-Louise Laird explained how it is also important to shine the spotlight on bereavement during Dying Matters Week.
“Grief is universal and in the South Eastern Trust our message, is that it is really important to have the opportunity with colleagues, with our staff, who are grieving, to talk about how we feel,”
Donna-Louise described how organisations such as Bereaved NI offer information and podcasts that are accessible to those who are grieving.
“The theme of this year’s Dying Matters programme is around cultural diversity within death. The universal theme is of grief and the emotions that we feel. Grief and bereavement are a normal process and will touch all our lives,” said Donna-Louise.
“It’s important that we highlight to our patients and to our staff that help and support are available, whether that is through our Regional website Bereavement NI or through getting in touch with your Bereavement Co-ordinator here at the Trust.”
Donna-Louise shared how when grieving, “It is important to have those open and honest conversations.” “It can be the simplest of ways to offer support to that person, even just by asking would they like a cup of tea? It’s giving that person time to talk if they so wish. We all cope differently but when in grief that person should know that help is at hand.”
For more information visit www.bereaved.hscni.net