Loss & Grief
Understanding Grief
The shock and grief that consumes you after you lose someone can be overwhelming. It can feel like you have fallen into a deep hole and will never be able to get out. These are natural feelings which will likely change as you move through the grieving.
No two people experience loss in the same way. Some may experience physical symptoms such as headaches or changes in appetite, and/or sleeping patterns. A person in grief may also experience shock/numbness, denial, guilt, sadness, anger, acceptance, or any number of emotions. Be patient with yourself and others as you/they work through their grief.
Remember
- Grief after losing someone can feel like a rollercoaster, full of intense ups and downs and everything in between.
- There are healthy ways to cope with your loss.
- Resources are available on campus to help you with your academic and emotional needs. Reach out to friends, family, and supportive others when you want to talk or need distraction.
- If the intensity of your grief does not ease in time, seek professional help.
- You will never "get over" the loss you've experienced, but over time you can begin to heal.
Sourced from the University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center.
Websites
Understanding Grief After a Suicide, University of Texas Suicide Prevention Program
Coping with Grief and Loss(opens in new window), helpguide.org
Books
The Grief Recovery Handbook, 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses including Health, Career, and Faith(opens in new window), by John W. James et al.
How to Survive the Loss of a Love(opens in new window), by Peter McWilliams et al.