Reflecting on the Impact of grief with students in halls

National Grief Awareness Week is an important time to raise awareness about the profound emotional, psychological, and physical effects of grief. The week offers an opportunity for individuals, families, communities, and organisations to come together and reflect on the impact of loss, share experiences, and provide support for those navigating the difficult journey of grief.

What is Grief?

Grief is a natural response to the loss of someone or something significant in our lives. It can occur after the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, or even when facing major life changes. Grief can manifest in a variety of ways, from sadness, anger, and confusion to physical symptoms like fatigue and insomnia. Importantly, grief is a deeply personal experience that can look different for each person.

The Purpose of National Grief Awareness Week

National Grief Awareness Week seeks to bring grief out of the shadows and into the public conversation. Despite being a universal experience, grief is often stigmatised or misunderstood. Many individuals feel they must hide their pain or avoid discussing their loss in order to maintain social norms. National Grief Awareness Week aims to break this silence and offer a space for those grieving to feel heard, supported, and validated.

Halls Life: National Grief Awareness Week – podcast episode.

Last week, Halls Life held an event on Grief with The Grief Gang’s Amber Jeffrey and The Student Grief Network’s Anna May. The event explored all things grief and loss and how to support yourself and others through the grieving process.

As part of the event, Marco and Alicia sat down with Amber and Anna and recorded an open conversation discussing the themes:

• Introduction Amber and Anna
• Early stages of grief
• Grief as time passes
• Grief and identity/ focus on the queer community, exploring how identity might impact the grieving process.
• National Week Awareness Week & Grief at Christmas time/ the festive period.
• Some practical tips for students and talk about where they can find support.

🎶 You can listen to the podcast episode 'Lets Talk About Grief' here on Spotify now. 🎶

Amber and Anna also shared the below resources with us and for you to use as you wish:

Anna also shared ‘What is Grief?’ a video I made with Student Minds, it’s just 5 minutes and a useful starting point for those trying to understand their own experience, or support someone else: What is grief?

She also shared the information about a free event for students later this month, if they missed this event. All students are more than welcome to attend 😊 Details via Eventbrite: The Student Grief Check-In Tickets, Mon, Dec 16, 2024 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

Also mentioned in the Podcast, some key resources and helpful communities:  

The New Normal Charity - https://www.thenewnormalcharity.org/

Misery Party - https://shorturl.at/bJlQs

Key Goals of National Grief Awareness Week

1. Normalise Grief: One of the primary goals is to normalize grief by encouraging open dialogue. Grief is a natural and healthy part of life, yet it is often treated with discomfort or avoidance in society. This week provides an opportunity to shift the conversation and foster understanding.

2. Raise Awareness: National Grief Awareness Week highlights the importance of recognizing and understanding grief in all its forms. Whether through a death, divorce, or life transition, the emotional journey of grief can affect anyone. Raising awareness about the wide range of experiences of grief helps individuals feel less alone.

3. Promote Support Networks: Another key aim is to emphasise the importance of support networks. Whether through friends, family, grief groups, or professional counsellors, connecting with others who understand can be crucial for healing. This week encourages people to seek out these networks and to offer support to others who may be grieving.

4. Provide Resources: National Grief Awareness Week also provides a wealth of resources to individuals struggling with grief. Many organizations offer educational materials, online support groups, and crisis helplines to guide people through the complex emotions of loss.

5. Encourage Self-Care: Grieving can take a physical and emotional toll. This week serves as a reminder that taking care of oneself during the grieving process is crucial. Simple practices like mindfulness, journaling, or seeking professional help can aid in processing grief healthily.

National Grief Awareness Week is a reminder that grief is a universal experience that requires compassion, patience, and understanding. By coming together as a community, we can help normalise conversations around loss, provide support to those grieving, and create spaces for healing.

For those who are grieving, it is important to remember that your feelings are valid, and you do not need to go through the process alone. Whether it’s seeking professional help, joining a support group, or simply talking to a friend, the road to healing starts with connection.

Let’s use this week to reflect, support, and advocate for a world where grief is met with empathy and care.

If you are grieving and require support, be it through a ‘Coffee and a chat session’ please reach out to us at here4u@arts.ac.uk or you can also check out the bereavement sessions run by UAL's Counselling, Health Advice and Chaplaincy service here.