Let’s Talk About What Matters: Acknowledging Change, Grief, and Mental Health
Image courtesy of Samaritan.
BY LISA DELGADO | Center for Grief and Bereavement Program Supervisor, Samaritan
As the leaves turn red and gold, I find myself contemplating change. We all think about change—whether seasons or life—at this time of year, don’t we? Change is a shared human experience, and autumn invites us to reflect on that fact. This time of year also often finds us thinking about loved ones whom we are missing.
It’s a natural time to consider these changes and losses – after all, cultures around the world remember those we have lost in this season with holidays such as Día de los Muertos or All Souls Day. Thanksgiving and other family-centered holidays follow just around the corner—celebrations that naturally lead us to remember those who are no longer with us.
At this time of year, we cherish memories of our loved ones fiercely, but we notice their empty chairs at each holiday gathering and miss them even more.
Grief, while a very natural symptom of loss, has a way of changing the shape of our lives. When we lose someone who has always been there—a parent, a sibling, a spouse, a close friend—the absence can feel too big to comprehend. The person who was part of our everyday routines, our family stories, and our sense of home is suddenly no longer there. Even the smallest things can bring the loss rushing back: a familiar song, a favorite meal, a holiday tradition, or a memory that appears when we least expect it.
Grief can be consuming. It can affect how we sleep, eat, work, and connect with others. It can bring sadness, anger, loneliness, relief, confusion, or even moments of joy. Sometimes, all these feelings can exist side by side.
Most importantly, grief is a natural response to loss. There is no single “right” way to grieve, and there is no timetable for when someone should feel better. Grief is not something we simply get over. Instead, over time, we learn how to carry our loss while finding ways to continue living, remembering, and connecting.
That is why support matters, and why I’m glad that before the holidays there is another date on the calendar where we can center ourselves—World Mental Health Day on October 10.
World Mental Health Day is a good reminder that caring for our emotional well-being is just as important as caring for our physical health. Grief can be an especially difficult journey to navigate alone. Talking with a trusted friend or family member, joining a grief support group, or connecting with a professional counselor can provide a safe place to express feelings that may be difficult to put into words.
I see the importance of that support every day. Bereavement services give people an opportunity to share their stories, learn from others who understand loss, and discover healthy ways to cope. Sometimes, simply knowing that someone is there to listen, or meeting someone who has gone through a similar experience, can make a meaningful difference.
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