Grief Support Groups Cincinnati OH

How to Help Someone Suffering from Loss

• DO let your genuine concern and caring show.
  

• DO be available... to listen or to help with whatever else seems needed at the time.
  

• DO say you are sorry about what happened and about their pain.
  

• DO allow them to express as much unhappiness as they are feeling at the moment and are willing to share.
  

• DO encourage them to be patient with themselves, not to expect too much of themselves and not to impose any “shoulds” on themselves.
  

• DO allow them to talk about their loss as much and as often as they want to.
  

• DO talk about the special, endearing qualities of the person they've lost.
  

• DO remember they continue to need your caring and support after the first few weeks or months have passed.
  

• DON'T let your own sense of helplessness keep you from reaching out.
  

• DON'T avoid them because you are uncomfortable (being avoided by friends adds pain to an already painful experience.)
  

• DON'T say that you "know how they feel". (Unless you've experienced their loss yourself you probably don't know how they feel.)
  

• DON'T say "you ought to be feeling better by now" or anything else that implies a judgment about their feelings.
  

• DON'T tell them what they should feel or do.
  

• DON'T change the subject when they mention their loss or their loved one.
  

• DON'T avoid mentioning their loss out of fear of reminding them of their pain (You can...