Bereavement Support
If you have lost a loved one to motor neuron disease (MND), you are not alone. We are here to support you through this difficult time and to help you find the support you need.
Our bereavement counselling service
When someone you love dies of MND, it can feel very distressing, isolating and confusing, and there is no right or wrong way to express grief.
Talking to someone outside your family or circle of friends may help you better understand your feelings and manage your difficult circumstances.
Our free bereavement counselling is available to you six months after your loved one has passed away. You can access this service if you are over 18 years of age and live in Scotland.
How our counselling service could help you
Our Counselling Service could help you manage your situation by:
- Allowing you to speak openly about the emotional impact of living with MND
- Helping you adjust to changes in your health, abilities and daily life
- Providing personalised support that’s tailored to your individual circumstances
- Supporting you to focus on what matters most to you, even as things change
- Reducing the sense of fear, anxiety or depression you may be feeling
- Helping you find ways to live alongside difficult thoughts and feelings, rather than be overwhelmed by them
"There were lots of tears, some laughter but I was able to understand why it had taken me so long to accept that counselling was needed and also to realise that it was okay to feel the way I did and that there wasn’t a time frame for grief. I’m certainly glad I approached MND Scotland for support, it wasn’t easy for me to do that, but I’m glad I did."
Resources
We want you to know that while you can refer yourself to our counselling service at any time after a bereavement, we begin counselling sessions from around six months after the death of your loved one. This is because the first few months after a bereavement are often a time of natural grieving, and research shows that counselling can be more helpful when some time has passed to allow for this initial period. In the meantime, there are organisations in Scotland that offer immediate emotional support for those who have been recently bereaved:
Anticipatory grief
Support is available for the grief process leading up to an expected loss.
Anticipatory grief
Support is available for the grief process leading up to an expected loss.
Dealing with grief
These resources are available to help you navigate your grief.
Dealing with grief
These resources are available to help you navigate your grief.
Support for children and young people
Our research shows that children and young people in particular need more support with loss. We are working closely with bereavement organisations to gather best practice and the most appropriate way to help our children and young people.
Support for children and young people
Our research shows that children and young people in particular need more support with loss. We are working closely with bereavement organisations to gather best practice and the most appropriate way to help our children and young people.
Practical support
There are organisations that can help you deal with the practical things you need to think about when you lose someone to MND.
Practical support
There are organisations that can help you deal with the practical things you need to think about when you lose someone to MND.
Focused support
Whatever your personal circumstances, there is support out there for everyone.
Focused support
Whatever your personal circumstances, there is support out there for everyone.Need urgent help?
If you need to speak to someone right now about difficult emotions you’re experiencing, you can reach out to:
Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or visit breathingspace.scot
Message SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 text support
Bereavement Support
In this deeply moving video, Beverley, Sandra, and Marina open their hearts and share the stories of their beloved husbands—Alan, Iain, and Alasdair—who were taken too soon by motor neuron disease (MND).
