Grief and bereavement
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Barkha ChikaraChief Medical Officer, MD (Psychiatry) from NIMHANS · Last reviewed October 2026Grief is the natural response to losing someone or something important. It comes in waves and usually eases over time. When intense longing and difficulty accepting the loss continue for many months and disrupt daily life, it may be prolonged grief disorder, and professional support can help.
About 1 in 10 adults in India lives with a mental disorder (National Mental Health Survey, 2015-16). You are not alone.
At a glance
Common signs
- Intense, prolonged yearning for the deceased
- Difficulty accepting the death
- Bitterness and anger about the loss
- Emotional numbness
How it is usually treated
- Complicated Grief Treatment
- Supportive psychotherapy
- CBT
- Grief-specific psychoeducation
Where to start
A free pre-consultation call, then a video assessment with a psychiatrist. In danger? Call 112, or Tele-MANAS on 14416.
Book your free pre-consultation callRegistered clinicians: psychiatrists with their State Medical Council, psychologists with the Rehabilitation Council of India.
Signs
Tick any that feel familiar. This is not a diagnosis, only a clinician can assess you.
0 ticked. If these have been with you for a while, a free pre-consultation call is a good next step.
Book your free pre-consultation callHow people often describe it
- “I cannot stop crying since I lost someone”
- “I cannot accept that they are gone”
- “I feel numb and cannot return to normal life”
- “It has been months and the pain is not easing”
People who are grieving may also notice depression, sleep problems or generalised anxiety. If any of these sound familiar, mention them to your clinician so your plan can cover them.
When to get help soon
Get help soon if you feel you cannot go on or have thoughts of harming yourself. Call Tele-MANAS on 14416 or 112.
How it is diagnosed
A clinician listens to the story of the loss and how you are managing, and checks for depression and trauma. Grief itself is not an illness, and there is no set timeline.
Treatment and support
- Supportive counselling
- Grief-focused therapy for prolonged grief
- CBT where depression or anxiety also present
- Rituals, remembrance and support groups
- Support for children and families who are grieving
How Mindly helps
Mindly's therapists offer a space to talk about loss at your own pace. All care is online, by video.
Your first appointment
A clinician listens to what is happening between you and the people close to you, or at work or study, and what you want to change.
Who is involved
A clinical psychologist usually leads therapy, with a psychiatrist involved if mood, anxiety or other symptoms are affecting you.
Between sessions
Sessions focus on skills and conversations you can try between visits.
What to expect
- Free pre-consultation callWe take your history and details, and match you with the right clinician.
- First consultationA video call in your language, with a clinician who already has your report.
- Your planYour clinician agrees a plan with you: therapy, medicine or both, as suits you.
- Follow-up reviewsRegular check-ins, and your plan is adjusted as you recover.
- Staying wellSupport to keep you well and catch early signs of a setback.
Every Mindly plan includes a second opinion from our Chief Medical Officer, a diagnosis-first approach and regular tracking of your recovery. How Mindly care works
Book your free pre-consultation callYour privacy and confidentiality. What you share with Mindly Health stays between you and your care team. Your conversations, reports and messages are treated as confidential and shared only with the team members involved in your care, apart from the limited cases where the law requires it or someone's safety is at serious risk. Read our Privacy Policy and your rights under the Mental Healthcare Act.
Common questions
When does grief require professional help?
If intense grief is still disrupting daily life many months after a loss, or you have thoughts of harming yourself, it is time to get support.
Is grief the same as depression?
They overlap, but grief is tied to the loss and comes in waves. Depression is more constant. They can occur together.
How long should grief last?
There is no set time. Many people find it eases gradually.
If you or someone near you is in danger, call 112. For free support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416. Mindly Health is not an emergency service.
Clinicians with a focus in this area
Muskan Jain DesaiClinical Psychologist
Ms. Kamakshi SabharwalClinical Psychologist
Dr. Dhritiman DasCo-Founder & Head of Community, Psychiatrist
Ms. Janvi KhokharClinical Psychologist
Online care in your city
Every consultation is by video, from wherever you are. Choose your city to see how it works.
Sources
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