ABC of Mental Health

Hello! Welcome to another edition of the ABC of Mental Health, your partner in the journey to better mental health — one newsletter at a time. This week’s theme is focused on grief and loss, keeping in light the loss that’s hitting us across the world and All Souls Day (a day we remember all those who have left us behind and we pray for their souls to rest in peace). We bring it to your inbox this Thursday to make your Thursday a little therapeutic!  

One Relevant recommendation

A Man called Ove (Book, 2012)

The book by Fredrick Backman explores the theme of grief and loss through the protagonist, Ove, who has lost his wife to cancer. The book highlights how grief can manifest in different ways, and impact our relationships. Through his journey of healing, Ove throws light on the importance of acknowledging our feelings of grief and loss, and the need for connection and support during this difficult time. By seeking refuge in neighbours and friends, Ove encourages us to seek support, find meaning, and come to terms with loss. With the book, the author reflects on how even in our darkest moments, there is hope for healing and growth. 

Two Quotes on Grief and Death

Hillary Stanton Zunin, a grief counsellor and therapist, highlights that though grief may cast a shadow, the experience of love, with its joys and sorrows, is an essential and enriching part of the human journey:

"The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief - But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love." - Hillary Stanton Zunin

The unknown author reminds us of the wisdom often found in the simplest of places, such as a graveyard, where even in death, the eloquence of human emotions and connections transcends time:

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." - From a headstone in Ireland 

Three TherapyShorts by TST

(Re-)Defining Grief: Grief is a natural and complex emotional response to loss. The process of grieving is a journey, a deeply personal and transformative experience. The experience of grief is highly individual, and there's no "right" or "wrong" way to grieve. It's a personal and unique process. It's not about "getting over" a loss but learning to integrate it into our lives, allowing the pain to coexist with our ongoing existence. 

Understanding Grief: Grieving is not linear; it's a process that evolves over time. Grief can be caused by many things – This loss could be due to death, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, a change in health, or any significant life change that leads to a sense of separation or absence. Certain days may seem dark, while others bring some light. Healing occurs gradually, often in unpredictable ways, as we learn to navigate a world reshaped by loss. 

Healing and Grief: While the pain of loss can be profound, it can also lead to the discovery of new meanings and perspectives. It might inspire us to live more fully, cherish our relationships, and find purpose in honouring the memories of those we've lost. Reflecting on the legacy and memories of the departed can provide solace, and honouring their life through shared stories keeps their spirit alive in our hearts. It may often lead to more “breakdowns” than “breakthroughs” and that’s okay too. There’s no fast-forwarding the pain or skipping to the good part. We need to feel our way through this healing.  

Love and light,

The Social Therapist