When you lose someone you love, you can feel that your life doesn't have much meaning, or that you no longer have anything to offer. Looking back at your experiences and taking stock of your contribution to the world can help you to realise that all you have had is still yours - death does not take that away. Remind yourself of all that you are and of what you have made of your life, think about the people you cared about and who cared about you.

But it is also important to look forward, however difficult this may be. Whatever your age, you still have something to offer to the world. It can be a struggle, but it is worth making the most of every opportunity to spend time with other people, to keep in touch with friends and family, to have a holiday or volunteer to help out with a good cause.

There are no magic answers. It takes time to regain confidence, to feel less overwhelmed by your loss and begin to make sense of the world again. Help and support from others, perhaps particularly from those who have suffered a similar loss, may help you to work your way through to recovery. And in time, you may be the person who can help others through difficult times.