Grief is a strong and a difficult emotion. When not handled in a healthy way, it can lead to physical and mental health issues. With a supportive environment, most people find it easier to deal with grief associated with a traumatizing loss.
Dr. Julia Letlow, Executive Director of external affairs and strategic communications at the University of Louisiana Monroe, explained that "Grief is a natural reaction to loss." However, she pointed out that "Grief is a very individualized personal experience. " Everyone deals with grief in their own personal way. "There’s no six steps that you get through and you are done."
Letlow described something called “disenfranchised grievers.” She explained that "those are the people that aren’t always given the support that mainstream grievers are given. In that category sometimes fall siblings. Also in that category are the people grieving a loss due to suicide." She advised that “the need to communicate with them is even ten-fold. They are not given the same social support that is given to people grieving for someone who died of natural causes. " She urged people to reach out to those who may not have adequate social support during their time of grief and bereavement.
