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SUPPORTING OTHERS THROUGH GRIEF

Grief is painful, and it is important to give people the time they need to process and express their grief. There are no right or wrong ways to grieve, just individual ways of absorbing the loss and rebuilding a different life. Realize that you can’t heal someone’s grief but offering compassion and support will help him or her through the process.

• Be there for them, even if it feels uncomfortable

• Acknowledge their loss and express your sympathy in a genuine way

• Keep reaching out after time passes. Your loved one or friend is not okay or over it under any specific timeline. Grief can come in waves. A good day doesn’t mean they are “over it”

• Be patient and expect your friend’s moods and reactions to change frequently. Grief is a different experience and many days your friend may not feel like herself or himself

• Don’t ever give up on them just because they can’t properly express or explain

how they are feeling or what is needed

• Listen often and speak sparingly

• Offer practical help: make meals, give rides, run errands

• Suggest activities that they have enjoyed in the past: “Want to take a

walk?” or “Let’s go to lunch tomorrow”

• Be aware of key moments, such as a birthday or holiday, which can be

particularly hard

Del Corazon Hospice:

Gerard’s House: In Santa Fe, Gerard’s House offers support for grieving children and their families. Services include weekly peer grief support groups, individual sessions, crisis response services and support for parents and caregivers. All services are free of charge and bilingual for youth ages 3 to 21 who have experienced life-changing loss. The program also offers weekly grief support groups in English and Spanish for adults. For more information, contact 505-424-1800 or info@gerardshouse.com. Visit gerardshouse.org.

Grief & Recovery Support Group: for caregivers, family and friends who have lost a loved one to cancer from 11 to 12:30 p.m. every Thursday via Zoom. For access, email Ronni Levine, LMFT, at rslevinemft@aol.com or call 909-896-3816. The free group is offered by the Cancer Foundation for New Mexico.

Sources: American Cancer Society and National Hospice Foundation

Support And Self Care

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2023-02-19T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-19T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://enewmexican.com/article/281925957184626

Santa Fe New Mexican