Beyond the Tears: Navigating Grief and Loss

A universal emotion that we will all unfortunately experience in our lives is GRIEF. Grief, a deep sadness experienced after a significant loss, is a natural human reaction that profoundly impacts mental health. The causes of grief vary, including the death of a loved one, job loss, divorce, loss of one's home, medical diagnoses, or miscarriage. Additionally, we may experience grief when we lose a DSP to another job, a family member who doesn’t visit us at the CLA as much as they used to or the loss of a family member to the ravages of Alzheimer’s Disease. In August we take the time to recognize National Grief Awareness Month.

The purpose of National Grief Awareness Month is multifold. First, this is a period where we raise awareness about grief and provide support to those who are grieving. It is also an opportunity to have open dialog about grief as well as provide resources to those experiencing grief and the people who support them.  

One thing to remember about grief and the grieving process is that while there are five common stages of grief, there is no one way to grieve. That is to say, everyone grieves in their own way and there is no set date or period of time when you should be done grieving. The grief process usually consists of the five following stages:

It’s important to note that there is no specific order in which these stages occur.  It should also be noted that you might experience these stages more than once during your journey through the grieving process.  As you go through the process try to remember the 3 C’s for navigating grief:

These three principles can be particularly helpful during times of significant loss, like the holidays or anniversaries, when grief may be heightened. By consciously embracing these choices, connections, and communications, individuals can empower themselves to cope with grief and find solace in their support network. 

Finally, it’s important to remember that you are not alone and there are people out there who are willing to help.  Need grief resources?  Check out Healthy Minds Philly: https://healthymindsphilly.org/grief-resources/or check out SAMSA’s fact sheet: https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/survivors-of-loss-pep25-01-006.pdf

• Choose: This highlights the individual's ability to make choices about their involvement in activities, social events, and daily life, even during periods of intense grief. For example, it might mean attending a memorial service or choosing to spend a holiday alone. 
• Connect: It emphasizes the importance of maintaining social connections and seeking support from friends, family, or grief support groups. This can involve actively reaching out to others or engaging in activities that foster a sense of community. 
• Communicate:  This focuses on openly sharing feelings and needs with others, including loved ones, support groups, or mental health professionals. It encourages vulnerability and allows     individuals to receive the support they need to navigate their grief journey. 

• Denial: Struggling to accept the reality of the loss and seeking meaning in what once mattered.
• Anger: Directing frustration at the people or circumstances leading to the loss, including oneself, a higher power, or the universe.
• Bargaining: Attempting to negotiate fate or a higher power to undo the loss, often accompanied by regret for not taking action to prevent the loss.
• Depression: Experiencing intense sadness, emptiness, and emotional detachment.
• Acceptance: Coming to terms with the loss, even if the pain continues.