National Grief Awareness Week 2-8th December 2020
You might not have realised this but 2-8th December is National Grief Awareness Week.
The campaign this is year is “Tell Your Story” encouraging you to share your story and bust the taboo of speaking about this difficult subject. I have discovered that it is not so much what happens to us, but the response we get from others, and how we are listened to and supported immediately afterwards.
This annual event is driven by the GOOD GRIEF TRUST where you will find many helpful links that cover all community and faith groups to support your friends and colleagues who may need help.
As I mentioned in a previous blog on my website “Finding peace and Tranquillity in troubled times” to support people in overwhelm with helpful tips to deal with the current COVID crisis.
I don’t know about you but I have really appreciated receiving messages that I am getting from friends and colleagues. Don’t suffer alone, and don’t forget to call friends and family, become a good listener.
Sometimes it will be you that needs someone who’ll listen while you have a bit of a rant, or a cry, or a general wobble. Other times it will be you that is trusted to listen and be non-judgemental, and who’ll just listen and sympathise.
You can’t fix what’s going on, so just listen and give them a bit of space to rant. And if you’re OK, call your friends and check in on them. Especially if they’ve gone silent.
All too often people have to hide their emotions and just carry on, as there are no procedures in place to help them process their grief in a safe space.
There is a beautiful quote by Elizabeth Kübler Ross
“The most beautiful people we have known
Are those who have known defeat, Known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.
These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern.
Beautiful people do not just happen.”
Here are some shocking statistics:
In the UK every 22 mins a parent dies to leave 112 bereaved children
85% of young people between 20-24 years old who take their own life have had a bereavement. (1)
85% of 300 universities recently surveyed do not have a bereavement policy in place. (2)
The risk factors are many as many feel isolated, loneliness, trauma PTSD and can resort to self-harm, excessive drinking, and drug abuse.
- Manchester University study (2) BBC Sounds research
For Links to find help please go to the link below where you will find some helpful links.
https://nationalgriefawarenessweek.org/
Photo by Matthew Ronder-Seid on Unsplash