Grief and Loss

Support for SUNY Oneonta Students
Amira The Healing Space | MA Therapy, LLC

Throughout life, everyone experiences loss at some point. In fact, research suggests that 1 in 5 children will experience the death of someone close to them before the age of 18.

However, grief is not only associated with death. Feelings of grief and loss can arise after many different types of life experiences, including:

• the death of a loved one
• the end of a relationship
• the loss of a friendship
• a miscarriage or pregnancy loss
• the loss of a pet
• losing a job or opportunity
• major life changes or transitions

For college students, grief can sometimes appear during a time when you are already managing academic stress, independence, and major life decisions. These experiences can make emotions feel even more intense.

Grief affects people emotionally, mentally, and physically, and everyone processes it in their own way.

Common Feelings During Grief

When someone experiences a loss, they may feel a range of emotions such as:

• sadness
• anger
• guilt
• confusion
• loneliness
• numbness
• anxiety
• exhaustion

Grief can also affect physical health. Some people experience:

• changes in sleep
• difficulty concentrating
• headaches or fatigue
• changes in appetite

There is no single “correct” way to grieve, and the healing process often unfolds gradually over time.

The Five Stages of Grief

Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross introduced a model often referred to as the Five Stages of Grief. These stages describe common emotional responses people may experience when coping with loss.

It is important to remember that grief does not follow a strict order. People may move between stages, skip stages, or experience several at the same time.

Denial

Denial can occur when a loss first happens. It may feel difficult to accept that the loss is real.

This stage can help protect the mind from becoming overwhelmed while beginning to process the reality of the situation.

Anger

As emotions surface, feelings of anger may appear.

A person might feel anger toward circumstances, other people, themselves, or even the situation that caused the loss.

Anger is often a natural expression of the pain and confusion associated with grief.

Bargaining

During this stage, people may find themselves thinking about "what if" or "if only" scenarios.

They may replay situations in their minds or wish they had done something differently.

This stage reflects the mind’s attempt to regain a sense of control.

Depression

As the reality of the loss becomes clearer, sadness may deepen.

A person may feel withdrawn, emotionally heavy, or overwhelmed.

This stage reflects the emotional weight of recognizing the full impact of the loss.

Acceptance

Acceptance does not mean forgetting the loss or feeling completely “okay.”

Instead, it means gradually learning how to live with the loss and beginning to move forward while still honoring the memory or experience.

Watch: Understanding the Stages of Grief

This short video explains the Kübler-Ross model and how grief can look different for each person.

Watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsYL4PC0hyk

Supporting Yourself Through Grief

Healing from grief takes time, patience, and support. Some helpful strategies may include:

• allowing yourself to experience your emotions without judgment
• talking with trusted friends or family members
• writing in a journal or expressing your feelings creatively
• maintaining regular sleep, meals, and daily routines
• practicing self-care and gentle movement
• remembering and honoring the person or experience you lost

Grief is not something you have to navigate alone.

When to Seek Support

Sometimes grief can become overwhelming or begin to interfere with daily life. You may benefit from speaking with a counselor if you are experiencing:

• persistent sadness that doesn’t ease over time
• difficulty functioning in daily life
• feelings of guilt or self-blame
• intense isolation or withdrawal
• difficulty concentrating on school or responsibilities

Psychotherapy can help individuals:

• improve coping skills
• reduce feelings of blame and guilt
• explore and process difficult emotions
• learn healthy ways to navigate loss

Support for SUNY Oneonta Students

SUNY Oneonta students can access free virtual counseling services through Amira The Healing Space.

Schedule here:
https://amirathehealingspace.as.me

If you are experiencing grief, loss, or major life changes, you do not have to go through it alone. Support is available.