Grief

Info from: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=hw164282
https://cmha.ca/brochure/grieving/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/coping-with-anticipatory-grief-2248856
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/grief-loss

What is Grief?

Every person will experience some form of grief in their lifetime.
Grief is a natural response to the loss of someone or something very important to you.
You may experience physical, emotional, social, or spiritual expressions of grief. You may also experience a number of different feelings, such as shock, numbness, sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, or fear, and you may also find moments of relief, peace, or happiness. It some circumstances it may be difficult to focus on anything other then the loss.

Grieving is the process of emotional and life adjustment you go through after a loss.
This can be related to anything important to someone that they no longer have, such as a relationship, home, job, belonging, status, any life situation that has gone through change, or something in life that you had hoped for that can never be achieved. Grief can also be anticipatory, starting from when you are aware that you will be losing someone or something important to you.

Grieving can cause problems such as headaches, loss of appetite, or trouble with thinking or sleeping. You may withdraw from friends and family or behave in ways that are unusual for you, and you may start to question your beliefs or views about life.

Grieving is a personal experience. Depending on who you are and the nature of your loss, your process of grieving will be different from another person's experience. There is no "normal and expected" pattern or period of time for grieving. Grieving is a process and journey unique to the individual.

People express or talk about grief in different ways, but we all feel grief after a loss. In most cases, people navigate through grief with help from loved ones and other supporters and, in time, go back to their daily life.

Some people need extra help from a mental health professional. Grief can be more complicated when the loss is sudden or unexpected, frightening, the result of an accident or disaster, or the result of a crime, but other factors also play a role.
A person’s experience of mental illness, lack of personal and social supports, and difficult personal relationships can also affect the impact of grief. A type of counselling called grief counselling supports people through difficulties around grief.

Here are some tips to help you through your journey:

Connect with caring and supportive people. This might include loved ones, neighbors, and co-workers. It could also include a bereavement support group or community organization.
Give yourself enough time. Everyone reacts differently to a loss and there is no normal grieving period.
Let yourself feel sadness, anger, or whatever you need to feel. Find healthy ways to share your feelings and express yourself, such as talking with friends or writing in a journal.
Recognize that your life has changed. You may feel less engaged with work or relationships for some time. This is a natural part of loss and grief.
Reach out for help. Loved ones may want to give you privacy and may not feel comfortable asking you how you’re doing, so don’t be afraid to ask for their support.
Holidays and other important days can be very hard. It may be helpful to plan ahead and think about new traditions or celebrations that support healing.
Take care of your physical health. Be aware of any physical signs of stress or illness, and speak with your doctor if you feel that your grief is affecting your health.
Offer support to other loved ones who are grieving. Reaching out to others may be helpful in your own journey.
Be honest with young people about what has happened and about how you feel, and encourage them to share their feelings, too.
Work through difficult feelings like bitterness and blame. These feelings can make it harder to move forward in your life.
Make a new beginning. As the feelings of grief become less intense, return to interests and activities you may have dropped and think about trying something new.
Think about waiting before making major life decisions. You may feel differently as your feelings of grief lose their intensity, and the changes may add to the stress you’re already experiencing.

How can I help a loved one experiencing grief?

Many people feel like they don’t know what to do or say when a loved one if experiencing loss. If the loss also affected you, you may be working through your own experiences of grief. One of the most important things you can do is to simply be there for your loved one. Grief can feel overwhelming, but support and understanding can make a huge difference.

Here are some tips for supporting a loved one:

Understand that a loved one needs to follow their own journey in their own way and express their feelings in their own way.
Ask your loved one what they need, and regularly remind them that you’re there for support if they aren’t ready to talk with others yet. Remember to offer practical help, too.
Talk about the loss. It’s common to avoid the topic and focus on a loved one’s feelings instead, but many people find sharing thoughts, memories, and stories helpful or comforting.
Remember that grief may be bigger than the loss. For example, someone who loses a partner may also experience a lot of fear or stress around financial security and other important matters.
Include your loved one in social activities. Even if they often decline, it’s important to show that they are still an important member of your community.
Help your loved one connect with support services if they experience a lot of difficulties.
Take care of your own well-being and seek extra help for yourself if you need it.

Contact a community organization like the Canadian Mental Health Association to learn more about support and resources in your area. Find your local CMHA here.

My Grief Angels -online support groups, information and resources

Leduc and District Victim Services - Grief and Loss

What's your Grief - resources, support, and education

Grieving.com - online support community

211 Supports - Bereavement/Grief/Loss