National Grief Awareness Day helps us recognize, understand, and support the experience of the human response to grief. Everyone has experienced grief, whether it is loss of a loved one, pet, relationship, or a job. Grief is universal experience that can affect people in physical ways, emotional ways, and other relationships.
Today we can remember to remove the stigma that surrounds loss. Many people feel that they need to suppress or hide their emotions, even that they need to “move on” quickly after experiencing loss. This can slow healing and increase emotional burdens.
People can feel any kind of emotion, at any time, during grief. Sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, relief, and happiness. There is no “right” way to grieve. That is why it is important to remember if you know someone who has experienced a recent loss, offer a listening ear, share fond memories, and offer help with meals or errands.
Lydia Emerine, Intern
