Most prominent needs expressed by spouses and partners who have lost their mates as they pass through the various phases of the grief process:
- I need to be with others who know what I’m feeling
- I need help in accepting the loss I have experienced
- I need strength to deal with my present situation
- I need to share how I feel about why my spouse died
- I need help to learn to live with my hurt
- I need someone to care about me so that I do not feel so alone
- I need others who know what I’m feeling and who are willing to listen
- I need to discuss and set new values for my life
- I need to learn how to express my true feelings to people close to me
- I need emotional support
- I need to deal with the loneliness
- I need to improve communication with my family
- I need to find more constructive ways to live with my sorrow
- I need to understand some of my feelings of helplessness and loss
- I need support as I attempt to deal with the emotional impact of death
- I need to understand me
- I need a safe place to share personal thoughts about my spouse
- I need a safe place to just talk about everything
- I need someone who will listen