Loss and the grief that comes with it can be overwhelming at times. Whether someone has passed away, a relationship breakup, the loss of a pet, or a change of circumstances which means your future is now different to what you thought it would have been, loss is hard. There are several stages in the grief cycle and each of these stages bring with it their own challenges, feelings, emotions and behaviour.

At the age of 18, a few weeks before I was to sit my HSC exams, on my Graduation day, my Father passed away. He was only 45, and as far as we knew, he was fighting fit. The shock, feeling of loss, confusion, anger and overall grief which followed was something I'd never experienced before, and had little idea on how to process. 

Nearly three decades on, I now use this personal experience, together with my professional skills to help young people deal with loss and grief which they are facing. Often it helps to speak to someone who knows what they've been through, who can understand what is causing seemingly strange behaviour, and to find the hope in a future, albeit a different one to what was originally planned. 

Although loosing something or someone dear to us can be a traumatic experience, with care and support it can be a whole lot less distressing, and hope and joy can be found again.