Grief is a natural response to loss, and it can be extremely difficult to work through. There are five stages of grief that we all go through: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Each stage can be incredibly painful and overwhelming. It is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to grieve; everyone experiences grief in their own unique way. If you are experiencing grief, know that you are not alone. There is help available, and you do not have to face this pain on your own.

Denial is the first stage of grief. During this stage, we may feel a sense of shock and disbelief about our loss. We may try to deny what has happened or suppress our emotions in order to cope with the reality of our loss.

The second stage is anger. It’s normal to feel angry during this time. We may feel anger towards ourselves, the person who has died, or even the world. Remember that it is okay to express our anger and it does not make us a bad person.

Bargaining is the third stage of grief. During this stage, we may try to make deals with ourselves or a higher power in order to try and reverse the situation.

Depression is the fourth stage of grief. During this stage, we may feel overwhelmed by sadness and loss. It is important to remember that it is normal to feel sad during this time and that there are resources available to help support us through this difficult period.

The fifth and final stage of grief is acceptance. During this stage, we can start to find meaning in our life again and move forward in a healthy way. It may take some time to get to this point, but it is possible with the right help and support.

Grief can be an incredibly difficult emotion to process, but it doesn’t have to be done alone. If you are struggling with grief, reach out to your friends, family, or a mental health professional for support.  With the right help and support, we can work through it and find some peace again. If you are interested in learning more about grief and the grieving process we all go through then check out the info provided by HelpGuide, a trusted nonprofit advocating for mental health awareness: More Info.

- Aaron Schwartz
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern
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