Depending on the day, what you are doing, and who you are with, you may be able to avoid grief. However, grief can sometimes be overwhelming; when one is grieving, one is suffering emotionally. We have to understand that it is not something to be ashamed of. Grief is a natural response to loss. Dealing with it does not have a set timeline, and the pain caused by it ebbs and flows through you. It will vary in intensity and appear to be gone at some points, but you can be hit with another wave of grief even years after your loss.
Grief is usually caused by the loss of someone. It is hard to recognize why we react the way we do. Some react in the more common way with tears and overall sadness. Other times, grief can manifest in more unpredictable ways such as through impatience, shame, and even physically, in the form of illness. Some even give the impression of being indifferent or disconnected regardless of whether or not they’re actually in pain.
When dealing with long-term grief, you can find a way to appreciate what came out of your loss. If you never had this person, you would have never experienced their positive impact. Healthy coping also includes asking for help. Often, those around you who aren’t experiencing your loss won’t realize you are grieving. Emotional distress isn’t always obvious; it is not like having a broken arm. It’s important to ask for help when you need it. Others may have or had similar experiences that can help you through your grief, so you are not alone. Reaching out now will make it easier in the future.
Here are some resources that can assist you during difficult times:
- Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868
- York Town Family Services: Growing with Grief
www.yorktownfamilyservices.com (specific helplines, grief sessions, and other programs available)
- Hope for Wellness Helpline
1-855-242-3310
- Black Youth Helpline
1-833-294-8650
Please do not hesitate to contact these helplines if you are struggling; they exist to help us!
With the loss of someone, you may never really move on, though you can move forward.