Locations     For Physicians Only     Español     Contact
In Case of Psychiatric Emergency: 1.970.201.4299
HealthFlex
×
  • About
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsyJTW8DnW4
    • How We Work
      • Benefits of Togetherness
      • Our History
      • Our Philosophy
      • Locations
      • Annual Reports
      • In The News
    • Our People
      • Boards of Directors
      • Leadership Team
      • Medical Providers
      • Therapists & Counselors
    • Partnerships & Collaborations
      • West Slope Casa
      • Health Info Exchange
      • Mesa Health Needs
      • Zero Suicide
      • Community Partnerships
  • Treatment & Services
        • Therapy & Counseling
          • What We Treat
          • Making the 1st Appointment
          • Adults & Seniors
          • Children, Teens & Parents
          • Metricovery™
          • Therapy & Counseling FAQ
        • Other Programs & Services
          • Oasis Clubhouse
          • Supported Employment Service
          • Women’s Recovery Center
          • Circle Program
        • West Springs Hospital
          • Refer a Patient
          • Admissions
          • What to Expect
          • Family & Visitor Information
          • West Springs Hospital FAQ

        • Peer Support
          Paying for Services
          Medical Records
        • What to do in a Psychiatric Emergency
        • Find a Location
  • Careers
    • An Exceptional Career Opportunity

      For highly competent & compassionate professionals, the new West Springs Hospital, opening early 2019, offers a state-of-the-art environment and culture in which to make your best possible impact. This is where you should be.

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCz8XkjEJO8
    • Find Your Dream Job
      • All Open Positions
      • Benefits Package
      • How to Apply
      • Internships & Practicums
  • Resources
        • Mental Health Blog
          • A Peer’s Perspective: Five Self Care Activities
          • Stop and Smell the Pizza
        • Resources for Today’s World
          • Downloadable Resources
          • When Major Events Happen
          • Mental Health First Aid
          • Resiliency Skills Training
          • Suicide Prevention
          • Multiply Your Happy
          • Back-to-School Toolkit
          • Mental Health Care Kit
        • Professional Resources
          • Physician Referral
          • Thought Leadership & Trainings
          • Metricovery™
          • Medication Assisted Therapy
          • For the Media
          • Contact Directory
  • Give
        • If you would like to help us continue to offer critical behavioral health services to anyone who needs quality care, please consider making a financial gift to the Mind Spring Foundation.  Your support will truly save lives.

        • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWOq7jkcN0o
        • BUILDING SANCTUARY
          • Fundraising Priorities
          • Guide to Giving
          • EZ Tax Credit
        • Give Now
  • Espanol
  • About
    • How We Work
    • Our People
    • Partnerships & Collaborations
    • Annual Reports
    • In The News
  • Locations
    • Aspen
    • Craig
    • Eagle
    • Frisco
    • Glenwood Springs
    • Granby
    • Grand Junction
    • Meeker
    • Rangely
    • Steamboat Springs
    • Vail
    • Walden/Jackson County
  • Mind Springs Health
    • What We Treat
    • Making the 1st Appointment
    • Adults & Seniors
    • Children, Teens & Parents
    • Metricovery™
    • FAQ
  • West Springs Hospital
    • Refer a Patient
    • Admissions
    • What to Expect
    • Family & Visitor Information
    • West Springs Hosptial FAQ
  • Other Programs
    • Oasis Clubhouse
    • Supported Employment
    • Women’s Recovery Center
    • Circle Program
    • Peer Support
    • Paying for Services
    • Medical Records
  • For Professionals
    • Physician Referrals
    • Leadership & Trainings
    • Metricovery™
    • Medication Assisted Therapy
    • For the Media
    • Contact Directory
  • Careers
    • All Open Positions
    • Mind Springs Health
    • West Springs Hospital
    • Benefits
    • How to Apply
    • Internships & Practicums
  • Give
  • Contact
  • Mental Health Blog

A Peer’s Perspective: Journey Through Grief

by Jill Davis, CPFS

May 21, 2019

“Some days are harder than others.” That’s quite a common phrase when it comes to managing grief. I can attest to this in my own life in regard to the loss of my precious first-born daughter almost two years ago: some days, are in fact, harder than others. Grief is such a fluid and non-linear process that no two people sojourn in the same way.

There are 5 main stages of grief, 7 according to some models. These are shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing and acceptance. I have found out in the months that have passed that these are in no way the order that they wash over you. In the weeks before my daughter passed from her heroic battle with cancer, I felt like I was grieving already…and it is highly likely that I was. A rare cancer was the hand she was dealt. Of course shock denial and anger came crashing down on my head like a furious tsunami. This was just NOT in the plan and I refused to even let this possibility into my understanding. This person that was entrusted to me to love and protect was courageously battling something that I couldn’t protect her from.

For me, the helplessness and guilt were caustic and the depression that ensued was all-enveloping. Bargaining was a stage that produced many ‘if only’ moments. My mind raced to find a piece of the puzzle that would make this all make sense. That piece is still yet to be discovered. Testing and acceptance are the bookends that support the current chapter of my journey through grief.  Testing ways that I can manage with the facts and walk through this life with the outcome has had some success. These stages for me are interchangeable and mix on a regular basis. I’ve found ways to include thoughts of wishing I could text her when I have something funny I think she’d like, as well as allowing the tears when I look at photos. Through these stages, I have learned that it’s ok, and necessary, to feel the sadness when it needs to be felt and to let myself smile and heal as well. Knowing that while everyone of us is different, this is universally the same.

So, on those days when managing grief is harder than others, here are some things that I have found helpful: write a letter to them, saying what you would like to say that you didn’t get the chance to say; talk with someone about what you remember about them; create a legacy scrapbook; self-care (including having a good cry); breathe. Grief has no time frame and is as individual as you are. For those who have experienced loss, my heart is with you, and my hope for you is that your journey leads you to more days that are better than others.

 

Jill Davis is Peer Services Coordinator for Mind Springs Health and uses her experience with a mental health diagnosis to help others.  She is based out of Grand Junction, CO and can be reached at JDavis@MindSpringsHealth.org or 970.639.3702

Glenwood Springs Post Independent

Add Comment Cancel


Recent Posts

  • Stop and Smell the Pizza Feb 9

    February 9 is National Pizza Day! Imagining the aromatic wonders of a hot, cheesy pie cannot only uplift your mood, but it can also help...

  • An Act of Kindness Today May Save a Life Tomorrow Jan 13

    By Dr. Frank Lotrich As you roam the aisles of the local grocery store, look around. You might see an ICU nurse, just finishing her...

  • Enjoying the Holidays in 2020 Dec 3

    Entering the holiday season this year feels funky.  How are we supposed to feel blessed and grateful during such an awful year?  The past year...

Categories

  • Featured (59)
  • In the News (31)
  • Mental Health Blog (51)
  • Mental Health Recovery (29)
  • News & Press Releases (49)
  • Recovery Newsletters (8)
  • Tools and Resources (26)
SEE ALL BLOG POSTS

HELPFUL LINKS

EMPLOYEE PORTAL
PROVIDER PORTAL
FORMS AND DOCUMENTS
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
TREATMENT LOCATIONS
CAREERS
EVENTS
FAQ
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

LEGAL

CLIENT RIGHTS
HIPAA PRIVACY NOTICE
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
PRIORITY POPULATIONS
PRIVACY POLICY
TERMS OF USE
NEEDS ASSESSMENT

The Latest in Behavioral Health

  • A Peer’s Perspective: Five Self Care Activities Feb 17

    While February brings hearts, flowers and well-placed prose to every gift shop around for Valentine’s Day, here’s a challenge to...

  • Stop and Smell the Pizza Feb 9

    February 9 is National Pizza Day! Imagining the aromatic wonders of a hot, cheesy pie cannot only uplift your mood,...

  • An Act of Kindness Today May Save a Life Tomorrow Jan 13

    By Dr. Frank Lotrich As you roam the aisles of the local grocery store, look around. You might see an...

©2019 Mind Springs Inc. All Rights Reserved
Site Design by Nover Marketing