My dad died last year. I'm still so sad all the time. Is this ever going to get easier?
- Ty*

Recovering from this type of loss is a difficult process that takes time. There's no "right" amount of time to be sad. But even though you'll always miss your dad, the sadness will decrease over the months after the death of someone close.

An important thing to remember is that you don't have to be alone with your feelings and your pain. Just talking about it can help. Ask an adult to help you get in touch with a mental health professional who has experience working with teens who are coping with loss. You also might consider attending a support group meeting, where you can learn how other people like you are coping and adjusting.

You should also talk to a mental health professional if your grief is not improving or if you feel depressed. And while it's normal to be sad, if you have thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself, you need to tell someone right away.

Reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD
Date reviewed: October 2012

*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.