OVERVIEW Understanding of Grief & Loss Understanding the - PDF document

Healing Hearts' Approach to Building Resiliency in Children and Families in the Face of Loss & Aversity Presented by: Morgan Griffin & Melissa Minkley 1 OVERVIEW • Understanding of Grief & Loss • Understanding the Uniqueness of Suicide Grief • Healing Hearts approach to supporting children and families • Resources 2 1

The 3 N's of Grief Normal Natural Necessary 3 GRIEF Individuals response to loss or anticipated loss MOURNING Individuals expression of grief 4 2

BEREAVEMENT The period after a loss during which grief and mourning occurs HEALING Become whole again- new & changed wholeness 5 "Change means loss; loss means grief; grief requires mourning; mourning our losses leads to healing." ALAN WOLFELT, PHD 6 3

S O CI A L PHY SI CA L SP IRI T UA L isolation from others others interest ME NT A L / NORMAL REACTIONS NORMAL REACTIONS E MO T I O NA L concentration • Shock, numbness • Fatigue, dizziness • Deep sadness • Muscle aches/tightness • Anger, guilt,relief • Panic/anxiety attacks • Fear, worry, anxious • Nausea/indigestion • Memory loss, poor • lowered immune system • Restlessness 7 • Meaningless/trivial • Emptiness • Decrease social • Hopelessness • Apathy • Lack of motivation • Doubt in faith/God • Jealousy/critical of • Anger, guilt • Resentment • Estrangement &/or • Martyrdom 8 4

Uniqueness of Suicide Grief Circumstances Relationship Support Network Mourning Style Cultural, Ethnic & Religious Background Other Life Stressors 9 Children Grief & Loss Developmental Stages Awareness Euphemisms & Metaphors Understanding Basic Concepts Common Reactions 10 5

Healing Hearts Who We Are Peer to Peer Support Companion Model 11 Curriculum Focus - Resiliency Building - Strengthening Emotional Intelligence - Mindfulness & Self-Compassion 12 6

Resources Healing Hearts of Waukesha County www.healingheartswaukeshaco.org National Alliance for Grieving Children www.childrengrieve.org Dougy Center - National Center for Grieving Children & Families www.dougy.org Survivors of Suicide Loss www.soslsd.org 13 7