The SGN Blog

Whatever our age, life stage, whether they were loving and close, or had a more complex relationship with us, or none at all, when we lose a parent, it is felt deeply in every cell of our body. We can feel like we are losing essence, or a part of us is leaving. We may wish to leave with them. The everyday can feel meaningless. The world is different.

I have been wildy struck with the fact that I lost a dad who I didn’t have in the first place – anyone with an addict parent will understand this. I lose a possible opportunity in the future to try and build a relationship with someone who I am half of.

Evee shares her experience of university life after she lost her mum in 2018. Evee is the co-founder of The Grief Reality, a wonderful blog where you can read many more lived experiences of grief and even contribute your own story.

We spoke to Shuma from Spoken Grief about her experiences of grief and loss during the month of Ramadan – from the difficulties of fasting when going in and out of hospital, to feeling like she can’t enjoy the month in the same way and missing her mum’s cooking.

Life After, a podcast by Theo Silberston, is a platform where young people can share and discuss their experiences with grief. Theo kicks off the second series by asking our founder, Anna, about the loss of her brother and father, and how it is to run The Student Grief Network.

Andrew’s dad died in 2012. Here he reflects on how his grief has impacted him over the years, from the initial aftermath, feeling like the elephant in the room and focusing all his energy on his A Levels, to getting into medical school and having to support dying patients and their families.

Ellie writes about her experience of putting on an interactive exhibition with The Student Grief Network in December 2021, what she learnt about her own grief and the process of sharing that and guiding others to do the same.

Interviews with some of our team exploring the main challenges that grief posed during their university experience.

I was coping with the death of one of my best friends at the tender age of 20. The calls to tone down the drinking fell on deaf ears.