Understanding and Managing Grief, April 9 - April 15, 2023

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Disenfranchised Grief describes a loss you don’t feel entitled to, that no one seems to understand, and that isn’t openly acknowledged, mourned or publicly supported. Many situations can lead to this, and it’s incredibly valid. What Is Disenfranchised Grief? Here's What To Know. « Huff Post

It’s an automatic and well-intentioned response. A church member shares with you the news that a loved one has died. Automatically, we respond with with comments like, “I’m so sorry.” Here’s what I’ve learned after many years of listening to grieving people who are in places where they can be honest. Before You Offer the Condolences « Pinnacle Leadership Associates

Growth cannot emerge from grief until one spends enough time processing what has been lost and its impact on their life. In grief, it is important to rebuild shattered beliefs and construct a new reality. Once a person can spend time processing their loss and constructing a new reality, they can begin to make meaning from the loss. How to Use Grief to Grow « Psychology Today

In this excerpt from So Sorry for Your Loss, author Dina Gachman talks about navigating the loss of her sister even before her death. "When I was younger, and my sister Jackie was just starting her long journey in and out of rehabs, I didn’t understand that the jumble of emotions I was feeling–anger, guilt, sorrow, confusion – was actually a form of grief. She was still here, still alive, but our relationship was so tough that I mourned her long before she died, on March 1, 2021, when she was just 40 years old." Grieving Someone Who Is Here but Not « Teen Vogue

“Closure” is often spoken of as the ultimate goal of the grieving process, a firm indicator that you’ve accepted the death of a loved one and are ready to move on. But many grief counselors say the rush to “get over” our grief or get to the other side of it is counterproductive. Grief Counselors Say 'Closure' Is A Myth. Here's Why. « HuffPost

Saying goodbye can be tough, especially if you're parting ways for good. But grief counselor and patient advocate Isabel Stenzel Byrnes says the art of saying goodbye to loved ones is important and can be learned. Here are 4 tips for a fond farewell. 4 tips on saying goodbye and working through grief « NPR

The death of a loved one can be among the most distressing experiences people face. It's a clear loss with expected and validated feelings of grief and sadness. Many times, however, people can feel significant loss when there isn't a death. It can be more difficult to recognize and validate these emotions. Unnamed Pain: Coping with Ambiguous Grief « Mayo Clinic Health System

Many educators are at a loss for how to address grief in their students and themselves. Pediatrician David Schonfeld offers some advice. Moving from Grief to Wellness in Schools « Greater Good Magazine

"I honestly think I'm going a little mad. Three months ago my brother took a break from moving into his apartment [in Jamaica], went out for lunch, and never returned." In Grief: When A Loved One Is Missing « Grief Healing 

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