Coping with Grief

(Link to article)

• What is the right way to grieve?

There is no "right way." We know that everyone on Earth is unique and individual and it is the same with our reactions and feelings— and the way we grieve.

• Define grief.

Grief is the suffering you feel when you lose something or someone very precious to you. You can feel pain, sorrow, guilt, and blame. 

• Name a few things that can lead to someone grieving.

Loss of a person or a pet, loss of a job, loss of a relationship (friend or lover), or a loved one is seriously ill. 

• What are the 5 stages of grief?

Denial: "This can't have happened."
Anger: "Someone needs to be blamed. This shouldn't have happened."
Bargaining: "If this doesn't happen, I'll do ___"
Depression: "I'm too sad to do anything."
Acceptance: "I accept what's happened and I am at peace."

These are stages of grief, but they do not necessarily happen in this order or individually. A few stages can come on all at once fade away into other stages, and reappear. But, in a period of time specific to the person who is grieving, acceptance does happen.

• What can you do to help someone who is grieving?

Support them in ways they feel they need support: help them face their grief, help them get good physical care, help them express their feelings, etc.