Bereavement counselling
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.
We offer free bereavement counselling that gives you access to up to 12 one-to-one counselling sessions with a qualified therapist.
Apply to use our free 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 three months after your loved one has passed away. You can access this service if you’re aged over 18, live in Scotland and:
Have lost someone to MND who you provided unpaid care for
or
Are an immediate family member
of someone who had MND, e.g. spouse, partner, son, daughter, parent
How our counselling could help you
Our Counselling Service could help you manage your situation by:
Allowing you to speak openly about complex and painful emotions
Making you feel better equipped to look towards the future
Helping you work through the different stages of grief
Helping you adapt to life without your loved one
Reducing the sense of fear, anxiety or depression you may be feeling
Giving you new ways to think and manage difficult feelings
"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."
Kirsty MacLean, who lost her husband to MND
How to access our Counselling Service
To access our Counselling Service, please complete the application form below. We’ll then review your application and respond to it within five working days.
You can contact us on 0141 332 3903 or support@mndscotland.org.uk if you have any questions about our Counselling Service and the support you’ll receive.
Please note: We are currently reviewing our Counselling Service, which means we may only be able to offer you remote counselling over the phone or online, rather than face-to-face sessions with a counsellor.
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.orgBreathing Space
on 0800 83 85 87 or visit breathingspace.scotMessage ‘SHOUT’
to 85258 for 24/7 text supportWhat happens after you’re referred
If you’re referred to our Counselling Service, we’ll contact you to
identify your needs and make sure you're suitable for the service.
If you are suitable, you’ll be able to access up to 12 free one-to-one
counselling sessions. Each session usually lasts up to one hour and
takes place once a week. But we can be flexible to meet your needs
and availability.
Support Services Referral
Financial support
Following the death of the person you cared for, there may be many practical issues to deal with, including claiming financial support you’re entitled to. Taking care of these issues while dealing with the emotional impact of your bereavement can be very difficult. You are not alone. We can help to make claiming benefits one less worry for you.
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