By Julie Morgan

Published at 15:46, Wednesday, 09 June 2010

“THE intensity of grief is determined by the intensity of love,’’ wrote a famous psychologist.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

Last week’s murders have shattered the lives of many local families into a thousand pieces.

The distress of those who lost loved ones, experienced or witnessed the shootings has stunned the community who feel helpless in the face of such misery.

Those going through a period of bereavement will feel very lonely and isolated. They will require kindness, understanding, compassion and empathy to enable them to withstand the pain and torment the next few weeks and months will bring.

Grieving is painful, confusing, chaotic and frightening; but it is also necessary and normal.

Allowing those who grieve to express their feelings and to accept their anxiety, anger, regrets and sorrow is an important part of healing.

NHS Cumbria’s deputy director of public health, Rebecca Wagstaff, said most people would not need professional support, but agreed that the longer term-effects could be more severe.

“Nothing can prepare you for something as shocking and unprecedented as this. It’s entirely normal for people who have been involved to feel traumatised.

“The kind of symptoms I’m talking about are finding it difficult to concentrate, feeling sad, angry, having difficulty sleeping. Some may keep going through the events, wondering if they could have done anything differently.’’

Dr Wagstaff said that although they had set up support services for those badly affected, it was generally best if people had a chance to deal with things themselves.

“It isn’t really a case of needing a counsellor or doctor at this stage. You should talk to friends and family in the initial stages.

“But it’s important to remember that everyone is different. Some are talkers and others are more reflective.’’

However, she added that those who are feeling terribly over-whelmed and haven’t got friends and family to talk to should seek further help via their GP.

THE number for CRUSE Bereavement is 07071780761.

WHITEHAVEN Community Trust Senhouse Centre has offered to give free counselling over the next few months to those affected by the tragic events. The contact number to arrange counselling is 01946 590122.

THE NSPCC is offering freephone helplines – ChildLine and their adult helpline – for anyone feeling the need to talk about their feelings.

The number for ChildLine is 0800 1111, the adult helpline number is 0800 800 5000. Both are open 24 hours a day.

WHITEHAVEN Samaritans opened their branch office last weekend to offer compassionate sessions with anyone struggling to come to terms with the horrendous events.

Branch director Steve said: “This is the third big tragedy to affect West Cumbrian people in the space of less than seven months and we know that many people are battling emotional turmoil without help, and that many are young people for whom this has been a particularly devastating experience.

“West Cumbria is a very integrated community and there won’t be many people who didn’t know personally or have some contact with those tragically left dead and injured.

“This is something new for us all and something we hope we will never live through again – but for teenagers and young people who have no recollections of Dunblane or Hungerford, this is something that really is hard to comprehend.”

The number for the Samaritans is 08457 90 90 90.

CUMBRIA Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will continue to provide drop-in sessions at West Cumberland Hospital until tomorrow at least. The sessions will be available between 9am and 6pm in the Psychology Department. A phone line has been set up to support the sessions and will be manned 24 hours a day for this period. The number is 01946 523666. This is in addition to the existing mental health help and advice line (0800 171 2333).

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk