Everyone grieves at one time or another. Unfortunately, there is no way to prepare for or know exactly when a life-changing circumstance or event will impact you.

Each person deals with grief differently, and no two people will cope with loss the same way. Some individuals turn to drugs and alcohol, self-harm, or fall into a state of depression. Some people try to handle things on their own, keep their emotions to themselves, and go on as if nothing has occurred. Transitioning through the stages of grief is extremely difficult.

I recently witnessed a close friend go through the death of her grandfather. The loss took a toll on her. She was his caregiver for the last six years, so she lost not only her grandfather but also her “job” with his death. She feels as if she no longer has a purpose, so she has turned to alcohol trying to cope with an array of emotions. She blocked out her family and friends as a defense mechanism, which led to a sense of loneliness and depression. It will be a struggle for her to find herself again and to achieve the acceptance she needs to cope with his death. Without a support system or healthy coping skills, she will become stuck in a negative and dangerous place.

I have also personally experienced a loss that was difficult to overcome. Each day, I tried to keep a smile on my face to get through the day without having to face my grief. I was only hurting myself. Even therapists need to reach out and use a support system.

Often when something happens, you hear, “God has a plan,” “everything happens for a reason,” or “everything will work itself out.” Logically, most individuals know this. However, it is one thing to understand it and another to truly feel that everything will be okay.

You deserve to grieve a loss, but there is a healthy way to do so. It is crucial when a loss occurs to use the support of family and friends. If that isn’t an option, seek professional help as soon as possible. Unaddressed grief can overcome you mentally and physically.