At some point, all of us will experience the loss of a spouse, family member, or close friend, either suddenly or from natural causes. Although everyone grieves differently, some people have a harder time than others. Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something important to you. People may feel a variety of emotions, like sadness or loneliness. You can also experience grief with the loss of a pet, friendship, or job; a divorce; a relocation; or the onset of a chronic illness.
If you have experienced a loss and are feeling sad and unable to enjoy life, it’s important to understand your emotions, take care of yourself, and seek support so you can heal. A grief support group can offer emotional support, validation, education, and connection from being with people who have also experienced a loss. Sometimes, people feel embarrassed or think attending a support group will be too awkward. However, when you attend a support group, others will understand what you are going through, and you will learn new coping skills. Attending meetings allows you to share your feelings without judgment, recover from your loss, and build new relationships.
There is no “normal” amount of time to grieve, so don’t expect your grief to be resolved in a certain timeframe. The process depends on your personality, age, beliefs, type of loss, and support network. Hopefully, with time, the sadness will ease, and you will be able to enjoy life again alongside your grief.
If your grief does not get better, you have a hard time accepting the loss, have a difficult time resuming your normal routine, feel depressed, or have thoughts that life isn’t worth living, it is imperative to seek professional help from a healthcare provider or a licensed therapist. Prescription medications can help alleviate the depression, and a licensed therapist can help you explore your emotions, teach coping skills, and assist in managing your grief.
If you are grieving a loss, consider some of the following methods:
- Give yourself time: Accept your feelings and know that grieving is a process.
- Talk to others: Spend time with friends and family. Don’t isolate yourself.
- Take care of yourself: Exercise regularly, eat well, and get enough sleep to stay healthy and energized.
- Return to your hobbies: Resume activities that bring you joy or take up a new hobby that you have always wanted to try!
- Join a support group: Speaking with others who are also grieving can help you feel more connected. In-person and online support groups are available. Some groups are time-limited, while others are open-ended.
The next St. Therese of Lisieux Grief Support Group Series will run from September 22 through November 17 on Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 PM. If interested, please contact the Parish Office at 586-254-4433 or Marilyn Cito, Parish Nurse, at 586-254-4433 Ext. 320 or MarilynC@stol.church. Newcomers and those who have attended previous sessions are welcome. If you are unable to attend the St. Therese group, there are many other grief support groups in the community, including those at St. Isidore, St. Kieran, Resurrection Cemetery, and many Grief Share programs at other local churches. Some funeral homes also offer this service.
We will also host our annual Hope for the Holidays Grief Workshop on Sunday, November 22, from 1 to 3 PM, to help families navigate the holidays after losing a loved one. Please consider joining us if you have recently lost a loved one.
