Different cultures have different experiences with loss and grief.  African Americans and other racial minorities also face a variety of social grief especially within the last few years in regards to the value of Black Life.  It is important to understand that one treatment of grief does not fit every person and culture and race play a big role how individuals grieve and the losses they potentially face.

The article, “How People of Color Experience Grief Differently” from Birmingham Times looks at the fears and losses for the black community.  The article states,

“For many people of color, the fear, exhaustion and constant grief that all come from regularly dealing with various forms of discrimination are compounded when additional trauma piles on.”

To read the entire article, please click here

People of color fear losses that other populations may not fear due to economic situations, police interaction and violence.  These losses lead to a life that is very guarded.  To understand the individual, it is hence important to understand what the race faces everyday

Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Grief Counseling.

It is easy to displace emotion.  When it is more convenient, or less impactful, one may become angry with someone who is not the cause of the irritation.  When grieving, it is sometimes also easier to take it out on the person presenting the bad news.  Like all defense mechanisms, they can happen at the unconscious level.

It is important to understand emotion and grieving and when helping others, to expect a displacement of emotion.  It is important to be understanding and ready to forgive when one acts emotionally during grief.

The article, “Understanding Displacement While Grieving” from Eleanor Haley and “Whats Your Grief” takes a closer look at displacement and how to deal with it as the griever and the one supporting the griever.  The article states,

“Sometimes the displacement is obvious – you know exactly when and why it is happening. Other times you just find yourself being more irritable, annoyed, or angry at the people around you, even when they have done nothing wrong. It can be complicated because often your rational-brain knows that they haven’t done anything, while your emotional-brain can’t help but lash out. ”

To read the entire article, please click here

When dealing with emotions, it can become complicated and it is important as grief counselors to know that people react differently to grief and an array of emotions can flow.  Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification and see if it meets your professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Grief Counseling.

Grief is a reaction to any loss.  Sometimes this loss is focused on death but injuries and loss of capabilities or limbs are also a loss that many deal with daily.  Losing a limb is tragic and is a loss that involves a long adaptation period.  Numerous secondary losses stem from the initial trauma and pain.

Phantom pains can haunt one well after the initial accident, as well as emotional distress.  The inability to do walk, or hold things, or do things prior the accident haunt the individual.  Hobbies, activities and other events become cold memories of a life once was.  In addition to this, one’s own self image and self esteem can be affected.  Feeling less than whole and new forms of transportation or clothing may be required.  These changes can cause grief and in some cases depression.

It is difficult to cope with such a loss but not impossible over time.  As the grief of the loss is adjusted, one can begin to find new meaning.  This does not mean, one accepts the loss as a good thing, it just means the person has incorporated this unfortunate incident into one’s life narrative and now is looking to find new ways to exist with a disability.  Not just learning to make life easier through therapy, strengthening and new technology, but also seeing what other opportunities exist.

The article, “Limb Loss and Grief: 5 Coping Strategies for New Amputees” by Richard Console Jr takes a closer look at the grief of limb loss and how some can learn to cope.  He states,

“Why does grief often accompany an amputation? Feelings of grief can arise from any kind of meaningful loss – and the loss of a limb certainly counts. In the case of amputation, the absent body part itself isn’t the only loss you suffer. Amputation also leads to many other kinds of losses.”

To review the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four certification as a grief counselor.