CBS Colorado: Daniel O’Donnell Discusses National Grief Day

Grief is the normal reaction we have to loss. We can experience loss in so many ways: people, things, our abilities. It affects our emotions, the way we think, the way we act, and it affects our bodies.

Grief can often look different from person to person. If you know someone who has experienced loss, keep an eye on them, watching to see if they have unusual changes to sleep, appetite, or mood.

It’s normal for our experience of life to go through peaks and valleys, but when it becomes prolonged, that may be a sign they need more support.

How to Support Someone Who is Experiencing Grief: 

Be available! The timing may vary. Sometimes they may want you there, and sometimes they may want to be alone.

Offer to help with tasks. Bring over food!

Be cautious about giving advice or telling someone how you think they should react. Often this is done with good intentions, but it doesn’t always have the effect we want it to have.

Where To Learn More if You or Someone You Know is Experiencing Grief: 

• The Denver Hospice has some helpful materials on their website, and you can reach out to them for support as well.

• WebMD also has a great description of different types of grief and the experiences people may have.

Today, People are more open to recognizing grief in themselves alongside other struggles they may be having. By sharing in open conversations, we can have a better understanding of what others are going through and how to help those we care about. ◼︎