DEATH & GRIEVING

When a loved one or classmate is dying or dies, it is natural to go through a grieving process.  The grieving process usually consists of the following stages.   Not everyone will go through all the stages.

 

Denial and Shock:  At first it may be difficult for you to accept the death of a loved one/classmate.   As a result you will deny the reality of the death.   You may feel numb.   This denial will gradually diminish as you begin to express and share your feelings about death and dying with other students, friends and family members.

 

Anger:  During this stage the most common question asked is “why me?”.  You are angry at what you perceive to be the unfairness of death and you may project and displace your anger unto others.

 

Bargaining:  You may try to bargain with some sort of deity by offering to give up an enjoyable part of your life in exchange for the return of health or the lost person.

 

Guilt:  You may find yourself feeling guilty for things you did or didn’t do prior to the loss.  Forgive yourself.

 

Depression:   You may experience a sense of great loss.  Mood fluctuations and feelings of isolation and withdrawal may follow.   It takes time for you to gradually return to your old self and become socially involved in what’s going on around you.

 

Loneliness: As you go through changes in your social life because of the loss, you may feel lonely and afraid.   The more you are able to reach out to others and make new friends, the more this feeling lessens.

 

Acceptance:  You accept and deal with the reality of the situation.

 

Hope:  Eventually you will reach a point where remembering will be less painful and you can begin to look ahead to the future and more good times.

 

Ways to Cope with Death and Dying

 

· Discuss feelings such as loneliness, anger, and sadness openly and honestly with friends, teachers, and family members.

· Maintain hope.

· Take good care of yourself.   Eat well-balanced meals.   Get plenty of rest.

· Be patient with yourself.   It takes time to heal.   Some days will be better then others.

 

For help or more information call:

 

 

 

Sponsored by the Auglaize County Health Department