The holidays can be overwhelming in general, but for those that are grieving or coping with loss can make the holidays very difficult. Suicide Prevention Specialist, Amanda McIntosh took time to speak with Castle Country Radio about how there are healthy ways to cope with your grief and learn to heal.

It’s important to remember that everyone grieves differently when it comes to loss. “Whether it be a loss of a job, loss of a loved one, loss of a pet even, facing the holidays can be very difficult for anybody in that position. So I think its important to remind everybody that everybody grieves differently and everyone has their own timeline for grief, and that their should be no pressure or expectation put on somebody who is in that grieving process, whatever that looks like for them,” said McIntosh. Some individuals may express grief openly, while others may grieve privately. There is no right or wrong way to grieve.

With the holidays here there may be some traditions that you have that may help ease the pain of loss or it could be a trigger for more pain. Carrying on those traditions is ok and its also ok to not host them as well. “I think that depends on the family. I’m a firm believer that if you have traditions in your family that bring you joy, absolutely continue doing them. But if they are going to be triggering or activating or make you yearn for the person or situation you once had, then no, don’t do those traditions. Create new traditions, things that are meaningful for you because that’s what its all about. What’s bringing you joy, what’s making you happy in this holiday time,” stated McIntosh. Communicating your wishes in whether to continue traditions or modify them is key for family members and friends to better understand what you are going through.

There are little things that you can do individually or with family to help ease the grief you may be feeling during the holidays. The number one thing that you need to remember is taking care of yourself. Your loved one would want that and its also very important to take time for yourself during the grieving process. “Other possibilities lighting a candle, they can even be battery operated, that maybe you light on the first of December and you turn off at the end of December or after New Year’s. Making or buying a special ornament to cement this period of time where you are facing the loss and you want to remember how you are feeling and so that you can look back on it and see how much you have grown throughout the year, right,” explained McIntosh. If you would like more information on healthy ways to cope or would like to get in touch with local resources in the area you can contact Amanda McIntosh at (435) 636-1153 or you can also reach out to the HOPE Squad of Carbon, Emery and Grand Counties Facebook page.