Grief is a very traumatic thing. The definition of grief is “a response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or some living thing that has died, to which a bond or affection was formed.” There are five different types of grief: denial/isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The grieving process takes time for you to heal and move on. Some signs of grief are shock/disbelief, sadness, guilt, fear, and anger.

If you are grieving, turn to a friend or a family member. This will also show you who truly cares about you or not. Also if it was a family member who passed, you have the rest of your family to lean on. Make sure you choose a support person, whether it’s a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear. You can also try to suppress your grief, but you can’t avoid it forever. In order to heal, you have to acknowledge the pain. Trying to avoid feelings of sadness and loss only prolongs the grieving process. Unresolved grief can also lead to complications such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and health problems. If your grief gets to a certain point where you can’t handle it, it may be a good idea to contact a psychologist or a therapist.

If you need someone just to talk to contact 1-800-662-HELP open 24/7, 365 days if you need a trained professional to talk to.