National Grief Awareness Month

National Grief Awareness Day is observed annually on August 30th to break the stigma
surrounding loss, encourage open communication, and remind people that grief manifests in
unique emotional, physical, and psychological ways.

The key aspects of grief are diverse and heartbreaking, each in their own way. You can grieve a
death, but you can also grieve the loss of someone who is still alive, like someone who used to
be your friend. You can grieve the loss of a chapter in your life, or anything that causes a loss.
Grief is a natural emotional reaction to losing anything that holds deep meaning, safety, or
identity in a person’s life, and no one should be made to feel guilty for grieving.

The followingare some ways humans have suffered loss for thousands of years.

− Bereavement, like the death of a family member, friend, or a beloved pet.
− Divorce, a bad breakup, or the fading of a close friendship.
− Losing physical or mental health due to illness, injury, aging, or a new disability.
− Losing a job, retiring from a long career, or facing sudden money troubles.
− Selling a family home, moving to a new city, or losing a daily routine.
− Losing a sense of safety after experiencing trauma like abuse or crime.

Grief has diverse triggers and can last only a few days or the remainder of a lifetime. While
popularized as a neat progression, psychologists emphasize that real grief is messy, non-linear,
and cycles back and forth between different emotional states rather than following a strict
path. The following are five stages of grief recognized by experts. They are not linear and can
occur in any order or multiple stages at once.

− Denial: Shock and numbness, acting as a defense mechanism to help pace feelings of
loss.
− Anger: Frustration and helplessness turning outward, often directed at the self, others,
and/or the situation overall.
− Bargaining: Dwelling on “what if” and “if only” statements, trying to negotiate or reverse
the reality of the loss.
− Depression: Deep sadness, quietness, and withdrawal as the true weight of the loss
settles in.
− Acceptance: Recognizing the reality of the loss and finding a way to carry on and adjust
to life
To begin healing from grief, acknowledge your feelings and permit yourself and others to
experience emotions without judgment. Listen actively to a grieving friend or share your own experiences, even if it’s a journal that only you see . You can also connect with local or online
bereavement groups.

The following are some resources you can access.

− The APA’s article focused on the death of loved ones
− Grief.com, a hub for resources such as books and journals
− HelpGuide for more information on the diverse types of grief
− Support groups for the grieving, online and in-person
− A guide to grief awareness

If you are grieving and need to talk to someone, write to us anytime on our website or call us at
(585) 442-6960. If you are in crisis, access the SAMHSA help line by texting or calling 988. They
are available 24/7 to help you.