The Idea of the Week
Let’s begin with National Grief Awareness Day, a 5-minute read. National Grief Awareness Day’s goal is to encourage communication about grief and loss, inform the public about grief, and offer resources to those who are going through grief and loss.
Now, let’s define some terms:
When we’re talking about grief, loss means the separation from someone or something that we love or that is precious to us. Loss is not specific to death or a person. Instead, loss can include
- relationships, such as friendships, romantic relationships, or familial relationships;
- pets;
- treasured objects;
- a miscarriage;
- retirement;
- job or financial stability;
- a cherished dream;
- health or safety;
- a home or a cherished location;
- parts of yourself you’ve left behind as you’ve grown;
- transitions in life, such as moving away from home, graduating from school or college, or changing jobs.
Grief is our natural emotional response to loss and solely focuses on our emotions. Grief can include a multitude of emotions that aren’t just sadness or depression; grief can consist of mixed emotions or feelings such as shock, frustration, hopelessness, confusion, guilt, disbelief, loss of appetite, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, distress, and more.
Did you know there are different types of grief? In this article, you’ll learn the Differences between Normal and Complicated Grief (a 5-minute read), and you’ll get a sneak peek of other types of grief, such as delayed grief.
Mourning is the outward expression of grief. One’s cultural, religious, and spiritual traditions may influence how an individual mourns. Mourning may include performing rituals such as a funeral or celebration of life, doing something in the deceased’s honor, praying, or sharing positive memories. Mourning may also include activities or journal prompts that help the individual process their loss and grief.
Practice of the Week
Experiencing loss and working through grief can be difficult, especially when our emotions feel overwhelming and all-consuming. This week, we’ll share a few tips for coping with grief.
Grief is an emotional response to loss, but it can also affect us physically. In this first article, you’ll learn How to Cope with the Physical Effects of Grief, a 6-minute read.
Next, let’s look at 9 Tips and Activities for Coping with Grief, a 14-minute video.
Lastly, in this 7-minute video, you’ll learn 5 Things About Grief No One Really Tells You.
News of the Week
We have a new group! Read the blurb below to read more about our new group.
Anxiety Group for Middle School Girls
This group is for girls from ages 11-14 who are experiencing anxiety and worries that are affecting their everyday lives. In this group, clients will be able to gain a better understanding of what anxiety is and how it affects their minds and bodies. They will also learn a variety of ways to work through these feelings. Clients will be able to connect with others who are having similar experiences and gain support from peers through these challenges.
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Don’t forget to register for our other groups! Registration is still open for Mother’s Light, which is a postpartum support group, and our Art-Based Trauma Therapy group. Check out the flyers to learn more about these groups.
Mother’s Light
To register for this group, please contact Caitlin at [email protected]
Art-Based Trauma Therapy Group
To register for this group, please contact Jennifer at [email protected]
Have an idea for a group you would like to see? Send your requests in an email to [email protected] with the subject “Group Ideas.”
The Thought of the Week
Wishing you a peaceful week!
