How to help a friend if they turn to you

Helping a mate, like Davo or Anne-Marie, deal with the death of someone she cares for is hard.  But, in fact, through some basic steps you can make a real difference in supporting her through this tough time:

• Understand that grief is experienced differently or can have different stages for people, including shock, confusion, denial, guilt, anger.
• understand that grief affects people in different ways, including physically and emotionally.
• Be a friend - hang out, kick the footy and invite them to go out. It's ok to have fun.
• Listen - be there to listen if your mate wants to talk. You don't have to have the answers.
• Give it time - there's no formula - everyone deals with grief in their own way and their own time.
• Find out what your friend may be going through in the  After someone has died fact sheet and how to continue supporting in the Helping a friend after someone has died fact sheet.