Grief

Have a listen to this video by Megan Driver. 'How do you help a Grieving Friend' highlights important aspects around how to offer support, without minimizing or silver-lining someone's grief. Megan is a psychotherapist, author, and grief advocate. More information about Megan's work and resources can be found at Refuge in Grief.

After watching this video, we direct you to visit or revisit the emotion coaching blogs for ways in which you can hold space for someone grieving.

Emotion Coaching Step 1 - Validation

Emotion Coaching Step 2 - Support

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Loss is Universal

Unfortunately, grief is an inevitable and inescapable part of life, and everyone experiences grief differently. There are many theories and models of grieving with different stages and processes, but generally all models agree that the following symptoms are common, and they may appear in any order.

Shock and disbelief, feeling numb, even denial that the loss occurred
Sadness, despair, loneliness, feeling empty
Guilt, regret, shame
Anger, feeling resentful
Anxiety, helplessness, insecurity, fear
Physical symptoms like fatigue, nausea, sickness, weight loss or gain, aches and pains, night sweats, heart palpitations, feeling faint or lightheaded, insomnia

Speaking Grief

Speaking Grief is a media initiative aimed at creating a more grief-aware society by validating the experience of grievers and helping to guide those who wish to support them.

Visit the website for resources and for access to a PBS documentary called 'Speaking Grief'. The documentary can also be accessed by following the link speakinggrief.org/documentary. Watch the trailer below.

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WPSU is an outreach service of Penn State.

A grief analogy can help explain grief to all ages. It might always be with you, and it can help to explain why suddenly,

seemingly you can reexperience the pain all over again. Ball in a Box is from 'Carolina Charm - Lessons Learned in Grief'.

Books

	The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
	When Dinosaur's Die: A Guide to Understand Death by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown. Here is the story by Emily. Snippet Edit Snippet
	The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia Read by Cathleen Jenkins Snippet Edit Snippet
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