The AMBER APproach
Relax and rest a weary heart
There is no right way to grieve, there is only your way. Be patient with yourself whilst you figure this all out.
FIlled with ups and downs, one day you are okay, the next day you are not. This is normal for grieving hearts.
Be Gentle With Yourself.
Friends are important
Don’t go through this alone. Stay connected. Talk to friends, family, a teacher, a youth worker or a counsellor about your feelings.
Move body energy
Take care of yourself, shower, open your curtains,eat well, get outdoors, move.
Moving your body helps the energy building up inside have somewhere to go.
Making is also moving. Make memories, make art, make music, even simply make your bed, you will feel better for it.
Space to breathe
There will be times when life does not seem fair.
Neither your teachers nor your friends realise that you are in constant change, and that is hard.
You will think that they have forgotten, that they don’t care, that they have moved on, but you can’t, you are stuck.
When you feel like this you may need some space to breathe.
Express yourself safely
Emotions can feel silenced, stuck out of control, painful and scary.
Expressing through crying, writing, sport or finding your own safe way to release big emotions is important.
Honouring the memory of the person who has died through volunteering or making a difference ot tohers can help.
Relax and rest a weary heart
This is a tough time and you are doing really well.
Sometimes all you will want to do is hide away.
Whilst alone time is important activities that you find restful will help your body regulate and process what is happening to you.
There will be times when you feel fantastic, alive, normal and for a moment you will forget about the one you lost.
You might feel guilty but it is important to build your life up. It doesn’t mean you have forgotten your loved one.
It’s OK to be OK.
Hold on to hope. It’s not always easy, but it’s always possible to hold on to hope.
Boost hope your way.
Nature, art, music, sport, movies, faith, friends, meditation, reading, time with animals.
Most people just don’t know what to say. The sudden loss of a loved one is hard to comprehend. There is no right way to grieve. There is only your way. Be patient with yourself while you figure this all out.