Grief Explained: What It Is and How It Shapes Us All

For more than a decade, August 30 has been recognized as National Grief Awareness Day—a day to honor those experiencing grief and to share resources that can help.

According to the CDC “Grief is a response to loss, which can be caused by many things, such as the death of a loved one, losing a job, getting divorced or going through other major life changes.” This however is just one definition. If there is one thing that should know about grief, it’s this: grief looks different for everyone.

How Grief Can Affect You

Grief impacts people in many ways—emotionally, physically, and socially. According to Harvard Health Publishing, some common effects include:

Wide ranges of emotions: sadness, anger, frustration, shock, regret, hopelessness, anxiety, stress, panic, numbness, confusion, guilt, depression.
Changes in sleep: trouble falling or staying asleep—or sleeping much more than usual.
Changes in appetite: eating far less or far more than you normally would.
Physical pain: stomach aches, joint pain, headaches, or nausea.
Increased health risks: higher blood pressure, heart problems, attack, a weakened immune system, or other health conditions.
Social withdrawal- spending less time with friends, or family, or spending less time doing activities you once enjoyed.

What You Can Do

Grief can feel overwhelming and isolating, but there are steps you can take to find comfort and healing. The American Psychological Association recommends:

Talk about your feelings. Share what you’re going through. Reach out to friends, family, support groups, crisis hotlines, or mental health professionals such as therapists, psychiatrists, or grief counselors.
Take care of your health. Get plenty of rest, stay active, keep up with regular doctor’s visits, maintain a balanced diet.
Build coping skills. Explore activities that bring you peace—painting, meditation, listening to music, journaling, spending time in nature, or just talking to others. Everyone’s coping style is different, so find what works for you.

Grief Support at Pillars Community Health

At Buddy’s Place, a program of Pillars Community Health children and teens age 4-18 and their caregivers learn:

Grief is a normal response to loss.
They are not alone in what they’re feeling.
How to talk about their emotions and experiences.
How to ask for help.
How to continue a meaningful connection with the person who died.

Buddy’s Place participants can also be referred to therapists at Pillars Community Health for additional support.

Beyond Buddy’s Place, we offer a range of behavioral health services to support individuals and families through grief. Our Access and Referral Team is here to help you take the first step—answering questions, explaining options, and connecting you to the right resources based on your needs. These services include:

Behavioral health screenings and treatment
Outpatient mental health services
Psychiatry
A 24/7 crisis hotline

Remember that you are not alone, and Pillars Community Health is here to support you on your grief journey.