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What is Grief & Loss
What is Grief & Loss
Grief & loss is something everybody goes through at one point in their lives
Grief is a natural response individuals have after they lose someone or something very dear to them
Losses: can be a death of a loved one, beloved pet, loss of a job, or a major life change (i.e., moving from state/country).
You may have heard that grief occurs in stages
There are 5 stages individuals can experience when grieving.
5 Stages of Grief
5 Stages of Grief
Denial:
Is a normal reaction to have & often the first we have after learning about a terminal illness, loss, or death of a loved one
Allows us to deny the reality of the situation
Its the way we cope with overwhelming emotions
It is a temporary response one has that allows us to let in only as much as we can handle
Anger:
We begin to search for blame, feel really guilty, and/or lash out
The feeling of pain begins to set in & it can be hard to deal with it. The way we handle the pain is through anger
You can feel angry at the person who is dying. Which makes you feel guilty, and then even angrier.
You may blame the individual for not taking care of themselves.
Bargaining:
When faced with painful loss, we can make secret deals with God or a higher power in attempt to avoid the inevitable
This is the "what if" stage
It provides a temporary escape from the pain we feel & allows us to feel hopeful.
After bargaining with God/ higher power, we may have feelings of guilt
Depression:
This stage can occur when the reality of our loss begins to set in.
During this stage we can feel immense sadness, decreased sleep, loss of appetite, and loss of motivation.
It can feel as if you are going to be in this stage forever
It's an appropriate response to a great loss
Acceptance:
Occurs when the individual accepts the reality of their loss & the fact that nothing can change it.
This doesn't mean you are OKAY with the loss
It means accepting that the individual is gone & it is a permanent reality.
Finding acceptance may look like having more good days than bad.
*ALL THE EMOTIONS/FEELINGS WE HAVE IN THESE STAGES ARE VALID. THEY ARE PART OF OUR HEALING PROCESS*
Wow, those are a lot of stages!
Wow, those are a lot of stages!
Yes! It's a lot of stages.
HOWEVER, not everyone goes through these stages. Sometimes we go through a few or all of them. Whatever stage we experience, it is NORMAL.
It's also important to know that there is no specific order to these stages. Healing from loss is not a straight line (linear). Individuals can go back in forth in the stages. For instance, you can go from anger to depression to denial.
Ultimately, you want to end in acceptance. However, it may take away to get there. Be patient with yourself. Grieving is a process that takes time.
Grief & Loss Infographic & Book on Grief & Loss
Grief & Loss Infographic & Book on Grief & Loss
Seeking support!
Seeking support!
Remember! It is NORMAL to go through any of these stages after we have lost someone or something we cared for.
Grieving can be difficult. It is OKAY to ask for support. Reach out to family & friends when you are having a hard time.
You can also reach out Ms. Moreno & Ms. Rafael for additional support.
We are here to listen & support you!
*Click on link or scan QR Code to connect with Ms. Moreno or Ms. Rafael*
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Here are a list of resources you can reach out to after school hours or even 24/7.
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