Opinion Articles

SOUL MATTERS: Stories of hope after loss
By Benita Tait

Grief Awareness Week 23-29 August calls us to acknowledge those in our community who are grieving and reflect on their need for support.

Although one of the hardest losses to bear is the loss of a loved one through death, there are many other losses that may be experienced as we deal with life’s changes. Young people who are grieving often have difficulty concentrating at school; they find themselves experiencing a range of emotions that can leave them confused and vulnerable. Often their losses remain unacknowledged leaving them feeling alone and unsupported. Finding an acceptable and non-threatening way to discuss grief and loss is important.

Many schools and community organisations across the Hunter offer Seasons for Growth, an educational, small group, peer support program which focuses on understanding and managing change, loss and grief. It is a program that acknowledges a person’s loss, enhances resilience and offers a safe environment where participants are able to access information, and develop skills in communication and problem solving. These skills assist participants to deal with current and future change situations, the group process helps break the isolation of grieving alone and stories of hope begin to break through.

The ‘seasons’ are a useful metaphor in the understanding of change and loss and in our personal experience of grief. We all experience the Seasons, but our experiences can be different, therefore we can grieve together even though our losses are individual and unique.

‘I am not alone’…these words of hope from participants in Seasons for Growth are important to reflect on during Grief Awareness Week.

One thirteen year old writes she learned that:

It’s OK to cry and it’s OK to share your problems with people…..with the help and support of others in the Seasons program, they didn’t solve the problem…they made it a whole lot easier to accept.

A sixteen year old writes:

The program taught me SOOO much. I have confronted/faced issues that I hadn’t previously; obtained some new friendships and REALLY enjoyed myself.

Adults also share their experiences. One participant writes that:

It was most helpful to recognise aspects of grief and loss and to realise that we all suffer grief in some way. We are not alone in this aspect of life.

Grief Awareness Week is also an important time to recognise the work of the Sisters of St Joseph who through GoodGrief Ltd., an Australian not-for-profit organisation, commit themselves to relieve suffering and bring hope to people affected by change, loss and grief. Since launching the Seasons for Growth program in 1996, over 120,000 children and young people, as well as thousands of adults, in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland and Peru have shared stories of hope through loss.

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle supports the training and co-ordination of Seasons for Growth in the Hunter. Detailed information can be found at www.mn.catholic.org.au/diocesan/seasons.htm or phone 4961 0579 or email seasonsforgrowth@mn.catholic.org.au.

Benita Tait co-ordinates Seasons for Growth programs in the Hunter region. This article is submitted by the Churches Media Association www.cmahunter.com.au.

*This article was published in The Herald, 24th August 2009