Introducing TCF - For health and social care professionals

One of a series of leaflets published by The Compassionate Friends become deeply discouraged as they doubt their ability to re-engage with the life they had before their child died. In trying to cope with the enormity of their grief, parents can feel very alone. They may lack appropriate outlets to express how they truly feel. They may not have easy access to appropriate information or support services, particularly if their child’s death was sudden and/or outside a hospital or hospice environment. They may struggle to find the words to describe what they are going through, or they may feel that when they do share their feelings, those around them do not seem to understand. The death of a child can have a large impact on personal relationships, sometimes resulting in relationship breakdowns between a couple, their surviving children or within the wider family. They may try to protect family and friends from the depth and complexity of their feelings, which causes them to withdraw. The sense of being isolated in their grief can lead to depression and they may feel they are becoming a burden on family and friends. The repercussions of the death of a child can last for many years, and can cause financial stresses and huge changes in family dynamics. Bereaved parents may question their identity and wonder how life can ever be meaningful again. For some parents, the loss of their child can lead them to feeling that life is no longer worthwhile. Suicide ideation is not uncommon, especially for the newly bereaved. The benefits of the peer support offered by TCF “I don’t think [the helpline volunteer] will ever realise how very much she helped because of her time and words on that evening. I have found an inner strength, I have found someone who does know how I feel, who can tell me that life can carry on, in a different way.” Myriam TCF’s peer support from fellow bereaved parents or adult siblings either face- to-face, on the telephone or online is a special kind of support which offers the following benefits: • Reduces the social isolation frequently experienced after the death of a child, adult bereaved sibling or grandchild • Provides a hugely valuable safe place where parents can speak honestly about how they are really feeling