Grief Support
Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. You may experience all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions, from shock or anger to disbelief, guilt, and profound sadness. The pain of grief can also disrupt your physical health, making it difficult to sleep, eat, or even think straight. These are normal reactions to loss—and the more significant the loss, the more intense your grief will be. Be sure to get help if you need it and reach out to other family members for support.
Grieving TogetherIn tough times we are more vulnerable to stress, worry, anxiety and depression. It’s important to take care of ourselves and those we know. Be kind.
Death of a friend, family member and even someone we didn't know well, can have a significant impact on our mental and physical health. Remember, it’s normal to feel stress. Everyone who goes through a traumatic event is affected in some way. Sometimes these stresses may not appear for weeks or months following an event. It is important to watch for warning signs. Alberta Health Services offers many free resources listed here: Get Help NowCrisis/Distress Line
Important Phone Numbers
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Grief SupportVisit these MyHealth.Alberta.ca resources or call 811 for information on grieving and helping children/teens during times of loss:
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Supporting Others
The most important thing to do is simply be present, listen and show that you care:
- Be tolerant
- Discover the gift of silence
- Be accepting
- Allow the bereaved to express unhappiness
- Don’t be distressed by differences in grief responses
- Be aware
- Be respectful
- Refer to the person who has died by name
- Be considerate
- Allow people to grieve in their own way
- Don’t interrupt; keep your comments brief and simple
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WHAT TO SAY:
This information was shared by The City of Calgary.
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WHAT NOT TO SAY:
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