On August 30^th, we recognize National Grief Awareness Day, a day dedicated to acknowledging and inviting opportunity to speak openly and honestly about, what can be for many, a difficult concept to discuss. National Grief Awareness Day is a time to remember grief is a natural response to loss, and nobody should have to go through it alone.

Why Grief Awareness Matters

While it can be difficult to have conversations around grief, it is a universal experience resulting from the death of a loved one, the loss of relationships, unexpected life changes, the diagnosis of a serious medical condition, the loss of normalcy, and other experiences that alter someone’s sense of stability.

While grief touches all of our lives, every individual’s grief journey is unique to them, and at Tu Nidito we believe that each person can become the expert in their own journey. We know grief is not simply an obstacle to overcome but a lifelong undertaking we all need to be supported through. National Grief Awareness Day is an opportunity to remind those who are grieving in your life that they are not alone. 

Supporting Your Loved Ones Who Are Grieving

Grief can upend someone’s day-to-day life: disrupting routines like usual sleep patterns or appetite, increasing anxiety or social isolation, and can lead to other adverse emotional or cognitive effects. Meanwhile, it can feel like life goes on as usual for everyone else—people can feel pressured to “be strong” or “move on” which can leave them feeling unseen and unsupported. Here are some ways to express support this National Grief Awareness Day to someone in your life who is grieving.

• Reach out: Let them know you’re thinking about them, and invite them to connect. It’s okay for them to decline, but your presence and thoughtfulness can make a difference.
• Offer specific help: grief can be overwhelming and it can be difficult to know or ask for specific support. Instead, give simple choices on what you can provide, like helping with child care, dropping off dinner, or taking care of some other errand.
• Listen: create a supportive environment where they can feel free to speak without judgement.
• Respect their privacy. Do not pressure them to share more than they are willing. Do not share photos or personal details, even if it was on the news.
• Show compassion: avoid platitudes like “it could have been worse” or other qualifiers like “at least.” These statements can feel dismissive or insincere. Speak supportively and from your heart. You can admit that you cannot fully understand how they feel or what you say won’t change anything while still letting them know they are not alone.

While these points can be useful, it is important to remember that people can grieve differently, especially children who grieve depending on different developmental stages. Despite these differences in expressing grief, you can always remind those who are grieving in your life that they are not alone.

Finding Support at Our “Little Nest”

If you or someone you know is grieving, please reach out to us. Whether you’re looking for community, educational resources, or simply someone to hear and see you, we are here to walk alongside you in your grief journey.

At Tu Nidito, we are leading the way to building a compassionate community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a serious medical condition or death. We provide all of our programs free of charge to whoever needs them for as long as they’re needed. Make a difference this National Grief Awareness Day for grieving children, teens, young adults, their caregivers, and families in Southern Arizona by following one of these links below:

• Learn more about our programs or refer yourself to one.
• Join our mission and learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Get grief-informed and find resources.
• Stay connected and sign up for our newsletter
• Donate to help ensure no child grieves alone.