When you or someone you love has experienced a loss, it is sometimes difficult to know how to express one’s grief over the loss. In the United States especially, it seems there is often a resistance to personal expressions of grief or loss.

General Attitudes toward Grief:

• Intolerance for suffering.
• Belief that it is not healthy to dwell on one’s sorrow, fear of looking back at one’s losses, fear of being stuck.
• Admiration for people that forget losses and move on as quickly as possible.

Consequences of Unprocessed Grief

These attitudes that prompt us to hide our feelings, in reality keep us unconsciously stuck. Facing the loss and allowing the feelings to surface makes it possible to authentically move on.

When the loss is NOT acknowledged (feelings and thoughts are repressed rather than consciously processed), the grief experience becomes disowned and people get stuck in their loss, which may result in depression and anxiety.

However there is a path toward healing through one’s loss. Many support groups, therapy options and resources are available to help individuals and families move through grief to a place of resolution and peace. See the below for a list of resources and support services to help you or a loved one grieve well. You may also contact Magda, to discuss your questions or set up an appointment.

Grief Support Sites

KARA: Grief Support and Education
HelpGuide.org
Centre for Living With Dying