http://www.mamfestival.org Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:25:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 http://www.mamfestival.org/how-to-support-a-loved-one-who-has-suffered-a-loss/ http://www.mamfestival.org/how-to-support-a-loved-one-who-has-suffered-a-loss/#comments Fri, 15 May 2009 18:03:43 +0000 admin http://www.mamfestival.org/?p=16 Losing something important is painful for everyone involved. It can be hard to support  a loved one through the experience when you’re upset yourself, but here some tips for helping someone close to you cope.

1. Understand that your love one will grieve over the loss like any other, and is likely to progress through similar stages of denial, anger, sadness and ultimately, acceptance. Until she gets to acceptance, there is little you can do beyond just being there.
2. Spread the word about your loved one’s loss tactfully among close family and friends. Your loved one may be reluctant or unsure how to do this, but it’s important for others to know so they can provide valuable help and support.
3. encourage your loved one to stay involved with family and friends, professional associations, hobbies, etc. Don’t let her embarrassment about the layoff lead to unhealthy isolation.
4. Make sure your love one meets any deadlines for continuing health insurance coverage and/or other equally important concerns.
5. Offer to help in any way you can- and then back off. You may be understandably concerned about family finances, but nagging and pressuring someone who likely is already pressuring herself far more is unproductive, at best.
6. Be alert for signs of depression. Eating, drinking or sleeping too much or too little, along with a consistently depressed mood, may be signs she needs more help than you can provide.

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