Knowledge Library

Grief & Loss

Information and support for bereavement, relationship loss, illness, identity changes and other major losses.

Understanding This

Grief is an emotional, mental and sometimes physical response to loss. It can follow a death, but it can also appear after changes such as the end of a relationship, serious illness or loss of an important role or identity. Grief is personal and does not follow one fixed schedule or emotional sequence.

What Someone May Experience

Sadness

Anger

Guilt

Anxiety

Confusion

Relief

Numbness

Fatigue

Sleep or appetite changes

Wanting connection or wanting time alone

What May Help

Support from family, friends and community

Cultural, spiritual, religious or personal rituals

Grief support groups

Peer support

Professional grief counseling

Creative expression

Movement and other stabilizing routines

When to Reach Out

There is no single timetable for grief. Professional support may be especially useful when grief is becoming harder to manage, functioning is seriously affected or additional depression, trauma or safety concerns appear.

Related SAGE Resources

Trusted Sources

These are the organizations SAGE used to build and verify this information. They are shown for transparency. SAGE does not send you away from this page automatically.

SAMHSA — Coping With Bereavement and Grief


                        https://www.samhsa.gov/communities/coping-bereavement-grief

Information checked: 2026-09-28