National Grief Awareness Week: The grief of losing my twin  

Sadly, we will all lose people we love in our lifetimes, and it is never easy. This National Grief Awareness Week, Harry Watkins talks about his experience of grief after losing his twin brother, Charlie.  

Nothing can ever prepare you to say goodbye to someone you love. Charlie was my twin brother, he was with me at every stage of my life. 

And one day he was gone. 

It is difficult to describe the grief I experienced when he passed away, but it felt like a darkness had now shaded my world. Charlie was the light in every room because of his kindness, bubbly personality and infectious smile. 

When he was gone, all of that left with him. An overwhelming sense of grief flooded my life, and it was difficult for everyone close to him. 

It has been more than five years since mental ill health took Charlie from us. Time is a great healer, however I still live with grief. 

And that is ok. 

National Grief Awareness Week is an opportunity to share our experiences of grief, as well as ways to cope and to highlight support available. Everyone experiences it and it is completely natural, so it should not be ignored or hidden. 

My father and I both struggled after Charlie’s death, but we had each other. Also, we had love and support from those close to us. And that is something which can be a huge help when you are grieving. 

If you know someone who is experiencing grief, it is important you let them know you are there for them. Be it offering a listening ear, helping with practical tasks, or ensuring you are available if they need to speak. 

The important thing is to be patient. People experiencing grief can go through many emotions, so a patient and understanding approach is a must. 

It is unlikely any personal advice can be helpful to someone who is grieving, so that might be wise to avoid. Instead, offering kind words and helping them reflect could be more helpful. 

While it is National Grief Awareness Week, National Bereaved Parents Day took place in July. My father and co-founder of CWF, Tim Watkins, shared his experience which you can read here. 

If you are experiencing grief and need additional support, please contact your local mental health services.