Resiliency: Navigating through Grief

Abstract: As the United States surpasses 550 000 excess deaths from COVID-19, the impact of these fatalities is especially salient. COVID-related deaths will likely accelerate a years-long trend in declining "working age" life expectancy.1 Individuals who are left, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, are shouldering the burden of losing their elders and cultural knowledge bearers, multiple family members, and others suddenly and without closure. Critically, these same communities must grieve during the pandemic, which has cumulatively stripped them of economic sustenance as well as their traditional mourning and burial practices. The downstream effects of these large-scale disruptions in grieving rituals may be persistent and affect future generations through higher health care costs, mental health burdens, loss of community and family supports, and stunted productivity.1 More immediately, bereaved persons may suffer distress arising from survivor's guilt as well as the effects of prolonged and traumatic grief.2 Creating space for communal expressions of grief is thus central to the public health needs of the present generation.

Background: Experiencing the death of a close person, especially in emerging adults and students, can have profound effects on the bereaved individual’s life. As most research in this field has focused on negative effects of a loss, little is known about potential positive effects experienced by bereaved university students. This study investigated the experience of grief and personal growth in a sample of students from The University of Melbourne, Australia. Methods: Semi-structured interviews via Zoom/telephone with bereaved students (n = 14), who were invited to reflect on their loss and any personal growth potentially experienced. Thematic analysis of the data was based on a deductive and inductive approach. Results: The analysis identified four themes: (i) sharing of grief as a coping mechanism, (ii) balance between grief reactions and moving forward in life, (iii) lessons learned and personal growth, and (iv) adopting values from the deceased person and continuing bonds. Conclusions: Participants emphasized personal growth regarding self-perception and philosophical views on life. Following the loss, they preferred peer support, and used formal services only when they had a specific need. The findings indicate the importance of social support for bereaved students, and the complimentary role of peer and professional support. Hence, academic institutions should offer supportive services tailored to both students and professionals to help bereaved students.

Abstract: Social support seems to enhance wellbeing and health in many populations. Conversely, poor social support and loneliness are a social determinant of poor health outcomes and can adversely affect physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Social support is especially important in traumatic grief. However, the ways in which grieving individuals interpret and define social support is not well understood, and little is known about what specific behaviours are perceived as helpful. Using qualitative description and content analysis, this study
assessed bereaved individuals’ satisfaction of social support in traumatic grief, using four
categories of social support as a framework. Findings suggest inadequate satisfaction from professional, familial, and community support. Pets emerged with the most satisfactory ratings. Further, findings suggest that emotional support is the most desired type of support following traumatic loss. Implications for supporting bereaved individuals within and beyond the context of the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed.

We will learn about the five stages of grieving. We will learn how grief should be experienced, not prevented. We will learn about the myths of bereavement. Grief is a natural response to the loss of a loved one, a divorce or relationship break-up, loss of a job, or death of a pet. Some people think of the grieving process as a roller coaster, with ups and downs, highs and lows. The ride is more frightening at the start, unprepared for the twist and turns - but eventually the bumps subside and once again you feel grounded.

We will learn valuable processes to handle your grief. We will learn valuable suggestions on how to move on. We will learn how to handle rejection. In the circle of life, death is certain. In the day-to-day life, rejection is possible, if not common. And good coping skills will keep your dignity and confidence in tact. People have said that the grief of death may be easier than grief from divorce because death is not a choice but some chose to divorce. Our animal friends are beloved members of the family., And it is natural to be stricken by grief and sadness when a pet dies. There are those that will never understand the attachment and intense bond between a family and pet - but don't ever let that bother you. They are indeed a member of your family and, with their passing, create a loss and voice that is difficult to recover.

Following the untimely death of his 35-year-old brother, an artist immerses himself in a year-long painting project to process grief and answer the question, “how can society be better equipped to deal with the grieving process?”