Complicated grief has been linked with an increased risk of heart disease and suicide

Bereavement counselling to help cope with grief can have a drastic impact on adult’s wellbeing.

A study by Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland has shown that adults who received support after the death of a loved one showed a significant difference in wellbeing compared to those that hadn’t.

More than 300 adults were quizzed over a five-year period for the research, which also found higher rates of complicated grief among bereaved people who live in poverty.

The charity said up to 20% of the general population is at an increased risk of suffering complicated grief which is associated with a higher risk of earlier death, including heart disease, and suicide as well as increased absence from work.

Chairwoman Christine McLintock said: "The research showed bereavement counselling reduces symptoms of complicated grief significantly - and that the impact is greater than the passage of time alone.

"The higher prevalence of complicated grief among bereaved people living at or below the poverty threshold was surprising and significant."