Listening, supporting, encouraging, and just being there can really make a difference in a friend’s life.
Here are some ways to help a friend deal with grief & loss.
—————————
Things to Remember…
- There’s no “right way” to grieve
- People don’t “get over” a loss, but rather they find a way to accept and live with the loss
- There’s no time limit for grieving
- Anniversaries of the event can trigger memories and intense feelings
- Loss can trigger a variety of emotions beyond sadness
—————————
Be There For Your Friend By…
- Being responsive to whatever they need from you at the moment
- Listening to their thoughts and feelings about their loss
- Allowing them to cry and express their emotions
- Offering specific things you can do for them rather than waiting for them to ask (e.g., bringing them food, running errands, getting notes from class, etc.)
- Supporting their efforts to maintain healthy eating, sleeping and exercise habits
- Continuing to check up on them over time
- Directing them to resources to help them (e.g., offering to call or walk them to the Counseling Center [x5005] or the College Chaplain [x5082])
—————————
Additional Resources. . .
Helpguide.org – Coping with Grief & Loss
