Are you a professional in need of more support to help grieving individuals?
Specific reference is being made to loss due to discrimination, but it is important to realize this loss can be combined with other losses. Sometimes this is not recognized by counsellors or their clients. I may have just given you some food for thought.
Consider for a moment the many ways people are discriminated against. Hmmm, there is discrimination connected to sexual orientations, colour, race, religious beliefs, gender, mental illness, financial wealth or lack of it, and the colour of your eyes. I’m sure you get the idea that discrimination is a part of life.
Another part of discrimination is having a feeling of not belonging. Not belonging to what you may ask? Depending on the situation, individuals involved and their tolerance for “others” who may be different in some way from themselves; there can discrimination felt by another person.
Discrimination intended, implied or misunderstood is still discrimination and judgment. How does it feel to be discriminated against or judged? Think about it, how did you feel when you were differentiated or judged by another person, business or institution?
Alone, scarred, worried, fearful, rejected, anxious, sad, hopeless, overwhelmed, lonely, lost, wanting to cry, confusion and depressed are a few words of how someone might feel. GRIEF, this is grief due to not being accepted for who you are, not being “good enough” as judged by a measure outside of you.
As a counsellor or individual wanting to support someone through loss experience it is important to be aware of this. Grief comes in many shapes and forms that are not necessarily sitting front and centre when someone is hurting, emotionally.
When pulling back the layers of grief, help your clients see their inner strengths.
When discrimination is a part of their life it is a part that does not have to be accepted. I know there are power struggles going on in the world every day, but as a society and individual we do not have to give our power away to individuals who purposefully or through their own ignorance try to suppress others.
Help them to acknowledge when they feel discriminated against and then help them find ways to stand up for themself. This can be in their own heart and mind, but when they realize they are not defined by others they take back their personal power.
Being confident, proud, trusting, having inner strength, believing, accepting, being hopeful, loving, having direction, enjoying life and moving forward are all signs of personal power. As a counsellor or a supportive person, you can promote this for the individuals who trust you and your knowledge.
Be the best you can be!
All my best,
Barbara Gillett Saunders
Grief counsellor/Thanatologist
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I am so EXCITED about the continuous changes in myself and my business. So many new opportunities are coming for heartfelt counsellors, who support grieving individuals who need them the most.
Don’t miss each new step and opportunities for your own personal and professional growth