This is a blog series about mental health and online learning. We explore the many challenges students face through this series, whether learning online or not, how our online students can combat these issues and the support available for Smart Schools students when those problems grow too big to handle alone.
Grief is the reaction to a loss - whether from losing a loved one, a pet, or a job. No one processes grief in the same amount of time, and for some, their grief can be persistent. Grief is different from abstract loss, which is more related to the loss of routine or coping skills.
Understanding Grief
Know that there is no right way to grieve. For some people, grieving may look like crying or just struggling to complete your daily tasks. This is normal and healthy. Others may not react at all, pr they may even laugh. These reactions are also normal.
Grief will impact people differently but can absolutely have mental and physical effects on you. This might include difficulty with focus, memory, and mood. Try to treat yourself with grace.
If you are supporting someone experiencing grief, keep the impact of grief in mind and show understanding, support, offer reminders, and try not to take others’ grief personally. It would be best if you did not force them to talk about their loss. This can cause them harm. You want to be comforting while validating their feelings and asking honest questions about how you can support them. If you don’t know what to say, start by telling them that you are there for them and want to support them however you can.