FIVE MYTHS ABOUT GRIEF

Grief is a mixture of many feelings that a person has when coping with a loss. People can feel grief when they lose a loved one, but they can also feel it with other losses. Losing a home in a storm, losing a job, losing money, and losing friendships can all create a grief reaction.

Everyone’s grief experience is unique. You may have trouble expressing or dealing with your emotions sometimes. This is a normal part of grieving. Nobody has one best way of coping with it.

Here are five myths and facts about grief that are important to know:

Myth: Ignoring pain speeds up healing.
Fact: Trying to suppress or ignore pain only prolongs the healing process. To truly heal, it’s essential to confront and actively address your grief.

Myth: Strength means not showing emotions after a loss.
Fact: Feeling sadness, fear, or loneliness is a normal response to loss. Shedding tears doesn’t indicate weakness. There’s no need to protect others by putting up a brave front. Expressing your true feelings can be beneficial for both you and your loved ones.

Myth: Lack of tears implies a lack of grief.
Fact: While crying is a common reaction to sadness, it’s not the sole indicator of grief. Those who don’t cry may still feel the pain deeply and have alternate ways of expressing it.

Myth: Grieving should be completed within a year.
Fact: There’s no predetermined timeline for grief. The duration varies from person to person, and everyone experiences it differently.

Myth: Moving on means forgetting your loss.
Fact: Moving forward signifies acceptance of the loss, but it doesn’t entail forgetting. You can continue with your life while preserving the memory of what or who you have lost. In fact, these memories often become integral to shaping your identity as you journey through life.

Engage Men’s Health offers free in-person counselling sessions in Johannesburg. Sessions are currently available every Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 till 15:00. To make an appointment for free mental wellness support, call or WhatsApp 063 649 5116 (office hours).