This may seem like an unusual topic for the second week of school, but I had a friend’s child pass away last week and I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about this misunderstood topic.

Grief is not limited to a certain age or demographic; loss can happen at any time to anyone of any age. It can be a loss of a person, a relationship, a beloved pet, your reputation or career, health, a goal or dream, or even a treasured possession.

The Oxford Language Dictionary defines grief as (noun) deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone’s death. Or, informally, trouble or annoyance.

In Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’ book, “On Death and Dying”, she identifies five stages of grief that can help you work through your loss.

• Denial: You may have difficulty accepting that a loss is real.

• Anger: You may direct anger at people, God, or even yourself.

• Bargaining: You may imagine reaching an agreement so you won’t have to deal with the loss or could regret past actions that may have spared you from the loss.

• Depression: You may feel depressed or emotionally detached.

• Acceptance: Eventually most people will accept the reality of the loss even if the pain lingers.

These stages are not set in stone, meaning not everyone experiences all of them or in that order. But knowing them can help if you do find yourself experiencing grief.

Something that I have seen in a family member is Inhibited grief. The Cleveland Clinic describes Inhibited grief as repressing emotions, and later those repressed emotions show up as physical symptoms such as an upset stomach, insomnia, anxiety, or panic attacks. Be mindful of this if you think this might be your coping strategy, and find a friend or trusted counselor to help you work through your feelings and emotions.

Three things you can do to lift your mood that are safe and appropriate for most people are: to sit in the sunshine for up to 10 minutes and let your skin absorb the warmth; to take a 10-minute walk outside and breathe the fresh air, preferably in the sunshine; and to eat nutritious food to support your immune system.

If you are feeling sad, overwhelmed, or hopeless, Lake Sumter offers up to five free counseling sessions to current students. Contact the Dean of Students to receive a referral for the Student Assistance Program (SAP) Referral Form.

https://www.lssc.edu/student-resources/student-assistance-program/

There is no shame in seeking counseling. As a society, we would be mentally and emotionally healthier if we could feel normal about sharing our feelings with others. Counseling has helped me through several difficult times in my life, and I recommend using the free resources provided by the college to see if counseling can help you.

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