Tullamore hospital holds event to mark National Grief Awareness Week

The End of Life Care Committee at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore today (Thursday) hosted an awareness event in the hospital as part of National Grief Awareness Week.

National Grief Awareness Week commenced on Monday and continues until this Sunday, February 2, with the campaign encouraging awareness of grief and the services available for those who feel they would benefit from additional support.

Discssing the awareness day held in Tullamore today, Zara Dagg, End of Life Care Coordinator at the local hospital said: "The aim of this event was to raise awareness with the general public and hospital staff about grief.

"We provided information on supports available to those who are grieving. Understanding grief and navigating grief can be helpful for those directly experiencing loss but also helps those supporting them.

"National Grief Awareness Week is a compassionate and important observance dedicated to being grief aware."

A statement issued on behalf of Tullamore hospital describes grief as a natural response to the death of someone close. It does not follow a definite pattern, and can be different for everyone.

Feeling isolated, lonely, shocked, numb, helpless, angry, irritable, relieved, guilty and sad are common feelings associated with grief, along with physical reactions such as difficulty sleeping, poor concentration and loss of appetite.

Family and friends may be unsure how best to show support. Learning more about grief can help someone before and during the grieving process and can also help the people supporting them.

The hospital's statement points out that grief is expressed and felt in different ways, and there is no time limit on it. It would be wrong to assume that people 'get used' to loss – grief in old age is still grief.

The statement added that people don't need any particular skills to support someone who is grieving.

You can ask them to meet for a walk, drop by for a cup of tea or offer practical help, such as preparing a meal. It can all go a long way.

For more information on National Grief Awareness Week online events, visit: www.hospicefoundation.ie