CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The holidays are usually a time for families to gather, reconnect and celebrate the opportunity to fellowship with both gratitude and anticipation for the new year. Often times the holidays hold a faith based overtone as well, as Christians celebrate Christmas, and Jews celebrate Hanukkah.
However, while many in our community are in a celebratory mood, the holidays can also be a painful reminder of loss for those who have had a parent or sibling pass away recently or during the holiday season years ago. The gathering of loved ones can also trigger strong emotional reminders about the ones who are no longer among us. These feelings can also become more acute when the loss was sudden, unexpected and also during the holiday season.
Regardless of the circumstances, behavioral health experts and clinical social workers agree that there are many strategies that one can undertake to process the emotional roller coaster that can occur. Madison Furguson is a clinical social worker with the UVA Health system, and she says there is not a one size fits all type of strategy for working through grief while others around you are celebrating the season…