Instructional

5 False Myths About Grief Busted

“The pain will go away faster if you ignore it”, is a line that a lot of us have heard from people when we have lost a loved one. The grieving period is a delicate stage of loss. When one is in such a fragil state, it is important to be informed and know how to identify myth from fact. Most often than not, friends, family, and even complete strangers try to help us through a process that they may or may not know anything about, by saying things like: “Be strong” or “Please don’t cry”. This publication will help you to identify common myths and learn the real facts that associate with these myths.

If you are watching this for a family member or loved one going through loss, or you are a person going through this process and would like support please consider visiting our website:

http://blogs.rollins.edu/foxwired/

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/grief/coping-with-grief-and-loss.htm
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Four Essential Logotherapy Questions to Deal with Grief

Imagine the dreadful consequences of the loss of a loved one for yourself, and for your children. Perhaps it may feel like life has lost its meaning, but it is precisely through journey of seeking and knowing the meaning in one’s life that an individual feels accomplished.

Logotherapy was developed by the neurologist and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, and it distinguishes itself from different kinds of therapy by focusing on the meaning of the patient’s future instead of trying to make sense of the patient’s past. If you are currently dealing with grief, here are four questions based on the premises of Logotherapy that anyone can ask themselves to deal with grief.

1 – How am I changed by this experience?

You must first know where you are to determine if you are going in the right direction. The answer to this question provides meaning to the current situation you find yourself in.

2 – How can I go on?

 This question provides you with logical support in your journey. Whether you only find one way to go on, or come up with a list of multiple reasons, you must always look back to the answer of this question to remind yourself that you are capable of carrying on.

3 – What is the purpose of this experience for me?

Think about your purpose in life. What is it that only you can do, and no one else can. Combine the answers of the previous questions to learn what is it that only you are capable of doing, specifically after this tragic event. What new purpose do you find in your life?

4 – What would have happened if you had died first, and the person who died would have had to survive you?

Attaching meaning to the death of a loved one is crucial to moving on. Imagine how that person would have suffered with your death. You have sparred her of this burden, at the cost that now you will have to survive, and mourn their death.

I hope these questions helped you reflect and find new meaning. If you wish for your child to have a support group, or to interact with other families going through similar experiences, you may consider becoming involved with New Hope For Kids.

New Hope For Kids is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization, and it is the largest independent grief support center in Florida. Their programs concentrate on children, ages 3 – 18, and families coping with life-threatening illnesses or the death of loved ones. Their mission is to support children and families grieving the death of a loved one and to grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses in Central Florida. You may volunteer, or contribute to New Hope For Kids by visiting their website.

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How to look after a child who is ill

Having a sick child is often a very stressful and upsetting experience. Your child may be having a very hard time feeling comfortable and dealing with pain, while you may be wondering if something is way too wrong. Don’t worry, here are five ways you can take care of your child:

Don’t be over-protective:

Parents often tend to be overprotective which may make their child feel that something is wrong. Just be as normal as possible

Share age appropriate information and be honest:

Be sure to share age appropriate information and be honest with your child so you don’t scare them. But, don’t hide the facts.

Talk to them as often as possible:

Talk to your child about what they are feeling as soon as possible. It will make them feel better.

Help them let other friends know:

Ill children can feel isolated at school. Help them let their friends know what they are feeling.

Talk to your other kids as well:

If you have other kids, talk to them as well so they don’t feel left out. Let them help their siblings get better by being a part of the team.

All in all, having a sick child can be very stressful. New Hope for Kids is here to help children who are ill, and make your life easier. If you know of any kids who are ill or their parents who are in need of help, visit New Hope for Kids.

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4 Steps to Overcome the Loss of a Loved One

 The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that “over 50 percent of all people who die by suicide suffer from major depression.” According to Healthline, grief after losing a loved one can lead to depression or make underlying depression even worse. Death can trigger intense feelings of grief or depression, and knowing how to overcome them can be life-saving. Here are 4 steps that will help you overcome the loss of a loved one. 

1. Accepting feelings and understanding them 

The process of losing a loved one triggers intense emotions that could potentially ruin your life. Accepting that these emotions are completely normal will help you understand and eventually control them. Remind yourself that you are perfectly capable of doing this. 

2. Gathering support

During the coping process, being alone will seem like the best option. However, being alone can lead to more depression. Losing a loved one can leave a big hole in your heart, so surrounding yourself with family, friends, or counselors will  help you fulfill it. 

3. Understanding the different grieving processes 

Everyone has different ways of coping with loss. Grief usually occurs through 5 stages. Going through denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance varies among individuals. Allow yourself to find the time you need to go through all of these one step at a time. 

4. Healing takes time and effort  

Pain will want to take over you during grief. Accepting that death is a reality will help you come to good terms with it. Motivate yourself to do something new or something you love doing, so that you can get your mind off of things and live your life to the fullest. 

Overall, intense grief is a natural component of life, and knowing how to understand the stages of it as well as knowing what to do in each of them will help you overcome the loss of a loved one, so that you can regain your happiness once again! There are many institutions that help individuals experiencing grief. New Hope for kids focuses on helping children heal after the loss of loved one. If you know of any children who need help, visit New Hope For Kids.

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