1. Tragic Death Coping with Loss

2. Tragic Events Car Crash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbojGZZuTNY 9-11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv4s3fn8jDc Columbine Shooting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt2K0P28aFA&f eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt2K0P28aFA&f eature=related

3. How do we deal with these events? Everybody reacts to tragedy in their own way Everybody reacts to tragedy in their own way As a general rule, most people will go through the stages of grief/loss As a general rule, most people will go through the stages of grief/loss Each person will experience these stages differently or may not even go through all of them Each person will experience these stages differently or may not even go through all of them

4. Stages of Grief/Loss 1. Denial/Isolation 2. Anger 3. Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance

5. Denial/Isolation The first reaction is shock and denial. The first reaction is shock and denial. Often people will say, “No, it can’t be happening to me or my family. It’s not true.” Often people will say, “No, it can’t be happening to me or my family. It’s not true.”

6. Anger When denial can no longer be maintained, it gives way to the feelings of anger, resentment, rage, and envy. When denial can no longer be maintained, it gives way to the feelings of anger, resentment, rage, and envy. Now the person may think, “Why me?” They become very difficult to deal with at this stage. Now the person may think, “Why me?” They become very difficult to deal with at this stage.

7. Bargaining The person negotiates with God or a higher power in an attempt to bring a loved one back. The person negotiates with God or a higher power in an attempt to bring a loved one back. Ex. “Take me instead” or “I’ll do anything if you bring them back” Ex. “Take me instead” or “I’ll do anything if you bring them back”

8. Depression With the realization of death, a person can often enter a period of depression. With the realization of death, a person can often enter a period of depression. During this stage they may become silent, refuse visitors, and spend most of their time crying and grieving. During this stage they may become silent, refuse visitors, and spend most of their time crying and grieving.

9. Acceptance If the person has progressed through the above stages, a final period is usually experienced. It is marked by peace, a unique acceptance of what has happened. If the person has progressed through the above stages, a final period is usually experienced. It is marked by peace, a unique acceptance of what has happened. In this stage the person resumes ordinary life activities In this stage the person resumes ordinary life activities They have the ability to recall the past and the deceased with interest and pleasure and the establishment of new relationships with others may begin They have the ability to recall the past and the deceased with interest and pleasure and the establishment of new relationships with others may begin

10. Grief – How does it affect us? Feelings of emptiness Feelings of emptiness A feeling of muscular weakness A feeling of muscular weakness Feelings of Anxiety Feelings of Anxiety Shortness of breath Shortness of breath Insomnia Insomnia Loss of Appetite Loss of Appetite Difficulty in concentration Difficulty in concentration Social Withdrawal Social Withdrawal Waves of distress Waves of distress

11. Ways to Deal With Grief Speak to Someone Speak to Someone Let Feelings out Let Feelings out Talk about Future Talk about Future Be honest Be honest

12. Ways to Help a Grieving Person Express sympathy Express sympathy Introduce person to others who are grieving Introduce person to others who are grieving Reassure the person Reassure the person Listen, hold, be a shoulder to cry on Listen, hold, be a shoulder to cry on

13. Classroom Exercise Have you ever had to deal with a tragic death? Or maybe a person close to you has dealt with a tragedy? Have you ever had to deal with a tragic death? Or maybe a person close to you has dealt with a tragedy? Did you recognize yourself or the other person going through any of the stages of grief we learned about today? Provide some examples. Did you recognize yourself or the other person going through any of the stages of grief we learned about today? Provide some examples. Which of the 3 videos we watched today had the biggest impact on you? Why? Which of the 3 videos we watched today had the biggest impact on you? Why?