National Grief Awareness Day: Coping With Loss And Finding Support

National Grief Awareness Day, observed each year on August 30th, aims to raise awareness of the many ways grief can show up in people's lives. Grief can be a complex experience that touches nearly everyone at some point, whether through the loss of a loved one or something else you valued. Below, explore what grief is, how you can observe this day, and where to find support.

What is National Grief Awareness Day?

National Grief Awareness Day, also known as National Bereavement Day, is usually recognized annually on August 30th. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the different ways in which grief can manifest in people's lives. August 30th can be an opportunity to realize that everyone copes with loss differently and learn how to help yourself and others through the grieving process.

You can observe National Grief Awareness Day no matter what type of loss you've been through. By raising awareness with factual information and encouraging open lines of communication, people everywhere can hope to receive better support, care, and comfort as they try to heal.

History of National Grief Awareness Day

The observance was founded in 2014 by Angie Cartwright, a woman who experienced the loss of many of her loved ones. Drawing on her own experiences, she created the day to encourage more open conversations about loss. National Grief Awareness Day typically recognizes the challenges of comforting someone in grief and seeks to eliminate barriers that can prevent empathy, patience, and understanding.

Common reasons people experience grief

Each of these may be a valid reason for grieving. To better recognize this experience in yourself or others, it can help to understand what grief is and how it may show up.

What is grief?

Grief is a complex human emotion that almost everyone experiences differently. It's usually caused by some form of loss, which may include the loss of a loved one, a career, future plans, or a cherished object.

There are often several stages to the grieving process, and everyone may move through them in their own way. Some people might go through all the stages, while others may only experience a few. The stages of grief generally include the following, although not everyone experiences each of these stages or goes through them in this order:

• Denial
• Anger
• Bargaining
• Depression
• Acceptance

Grief may feel all-consuming and make it hard to carry out daily activities. Allowing yourself to fully experience your emotions can help you heal and move forward with time.

How long does grief last?

People usually heal from grief at their own pace, and there may be no set timeline for grief or how much time is too much. Grief may come and go in waves over the years, or you might experience it all at once. When these waves hit, please note that it generally isn't a sign of moving backward, but a normal part of grieving.

While almost everyone grieves differently and for varied lengths of time, and grief can come in waves, many people experience a peak in their symptoms at the six-month mark, particularly after the death of a loved one. Individuals who experience intense grief that prevents them from functioning in daily life for more than a year may be experiencing prolonged grief disorder, also called complicated grief.

Physical effects of grief

Weight change, tension throughout the body, and sleep issues can all be potential symptoms of grief. You may experience weight loss from being unable to eat, or you may overeat and gain weight. Stress may cause your shoulders to tighten and tense throughout the day, possibly leading to pain, while insomnia might keep you up at night or leave you unable to get out of bed in the morning.

Emotional effects of grief

Depression, guilt, anxiety, anger, and loneliness can all be common emotions experienced by people who have lost someone or something important to them. You may experience a period in which you deny the loss as a subconscious way of trying to defend yourself, and during this time, your emotions might seem less intense or even numb. Once you move past the denial stage, all the feelings you may have been holding back might come out at once, and moving rapidly from one emotion to the next can be normal.

Behavioral effects of grief

If you're grieving, some behavioral effects you might notice are forgetfulness, talking a lot about who or what you lost, withdrawing from previously enjoyed activities, and worrying more about other people. You might be unable to concentrate on whatever is in front of you, and if you're experiencing depression, you may withdraw from hobbies or interests you once had.

Knowing when to reach out to a professional while grieving can help. For example, developing anxiety or depression that doesn't allow you to function normally throughout the day can be cause for concern, and any suicidal thoughts or ideation should be discussed with a mental health expert. Grief is a process you don't have to go through alone.

If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, seek help immediately. You can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) at 988 via text or phone call 24/7. You can also reach out via chat at 988lifeline.org.

How to observe National Grief Awareness Day

Learning about and acknowledging how people cope with loss can be helpful, and National Grief Awareness Day generally aims to do just that. Regardless of how you take part, even small actions can make a big difference. Here are some ways you can recognize this day on your own or within your community.

Practice self-care

If you're grieving someone or something important, it may help to be there for yourself. Of course, you may want other people to support you, but you can also practice self-care to potentially alleviate some of your difficult emotions. Consider speaking with a therapist, taking yourself out for dessert, or enjoying a spa day. Self-care can include any activities that help you relax and feel loved.

Join a support group

Grief support groups can connect you with others who are experiencing similar situations. For example, you may have lost a spouse, child, pet, business, or job. Try looking for a support group specific to your type of loss or a general grief support group.

Support groups are often led by someone experienced with the group's topic, but they can also be facilitated by a professional, such as a therapist. Meeting weekly or monthly with people who care may help you cope and heal in a supportive way.

Remember the person you lost

No matter how long it's been since you lost a loved one, you may still feel pain in some capacity. To honor their life and the memories you shared, you might consider setting up a fundraiser, memorial, or scholarship fund in their name. This may help keep their memory alive for years to come.

Share on social media

Posting with the hashtag #GriefAwarenessDay can be one way to take part in the observance online. You might share resources, personal reflections, or supportive messages for others who are grieving. Opening up conversations like these can help reduce the stigma that sometimes surrounds grief. When you're ready to seek professional support, you can get started with an online or in-person therapist.

How to help a loved one who is grieving

Supporting someone in grief can feel uncertain, and you might fear you'll say the wrong thing or have nothing to say. That doesn't have to stop you from reaching out, as people experiencing grief often need others more than usual. Here are some ways you can help them through their experience and be a supportive person in their life.

Listen more than you speak

It can help to listen more than you speak and let your loved one talk through their thoughts and feelings, whether that means crying, telling stories about the person they lost, or venting. Sometimes, your loved one may want to sit in silence.

Being present and allowing the conversation to go in any direction is often the best approach. Your presence may mean more than you realize and can bring comfort, safety, and healing.

Offer practical support

People who are grieving might feel unable to complete daily tasks or perform everyday activities. You may be able to help by asking your loved one what their needs are at that moment. Bringing a home-cooked meal, taking out the trash, watching the kids for a few hours, driving them to the store, or helping with funeral arrangements might help the most. Instead of assuming you know what someone needs, it's usually best to ask so you can be confident that you're meeting their actual needs in that moment.

Ask how they're doing

It can be easy to make assumptions about how a loved one feels, especially if you know them well. However, the grieving process is often unique, and emotions can change over time. Rather than assuming someone is okay or struggling, you might ask them. They may not be ready to open up, but their response may indicate their feelings.

Help them find professional support

Sometimes, your loved one may need more support than those in their life can offer. For example, if they're experiencing persistent depression, anxiety, or any other mental health condition, it could be time to see a mental health professional. You can be there to encourage them to reach out for help.

You could also offer to help them find a therapist or drive them to their first session. While you don't have to give beyond your means, even small gestures can mean a lot.

Take care of yourself

In general, it can be difficult to pour from an empty cup, and caring for yourself while helping your loved one can be healthy. Take time for yourself, do things you enjoy, and lean on your friends or family for support. The better you help yourself, the better you may help your grieving loved one.

Give it time

Since there's no set timeline for grieving, your loved one may experience grief for longer than expected. They may still need your support and encouragement to keep moving forward in the following days, weeks, and months. You might want to reassure your loved one that you're not going anywhere during this time.

Specific days or times of the year might also be more challenging for them. However, showing genuine concern and care may help them heal and move forward. While their grief may never disappear completely, you can be someone who encourages them to keep going.

Tips for coping with loss

Loss is rarely easy. Grief can take a toll on your mental health and bring out unexpected emotions. Although the grieving process can be different for everyone, many people benefit from similar methods. Some of these may include the following:

• Lean on people who care: This could be a friend, family member, mentor, or someone else. When you're with someone you trust and respect, you may be more able to open up about how you feel and get your emotions off your chest.
• Comfort yourself at home: Self-care could include hobbies like playing an instrument, practicing a sport, or doing arts and crafts. It could also include relaxation techniques like meditation, mindfulness, or yoga. Something enjoyable, entertaining, and calming may keep your mind occupied and focused on the present moment.
• Take care of your physical health: Your mental and physical health can be intertwined in many ways, and when one area benefits, the other often does, too. You can stay physically healthy by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep at night, and eating balanced meals.
• Try therapy:Speaking with a therapist can help you understand and address your thoughts and emotions. For some people, additional support options may be helpful. BetterHelp now offers psychiatry services through Uplift, which are available alongside therapy and can be part of a holistic mental health care experience. When clinically appropriate, a licensed psychiatric provider may discuss options such as medication management, though not everyone needs or benefits from medication, and any such decisions are personalized and based on a full clinical evaluation.

*Based on finalized paid psychiatry visits with a copay. Insurance availability, coverage, and costs vary by state, plan, provider network, and provider availability.

Benefits of online therapy for grief

When getting out of the house feels overwhelming, online therapy can empower you to process grief from the comfort of home, which may feel more manageable during periods of loss. Some providers on BetterHelp may be in-network with certain health plans, and co-pays average about $23/session for eligible members. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability, so you can check your in-network status on the BetterHelp site.

If additional support is something you'd like to explore, BetterHelp now offers psychiatry services through Uplift as an option alongside therapy; you can get started with psychiatry services when you're ready. In-app messaging can also be helpful when waves of grief hit unexpectedly, giving you a way to share what you're experiencing between sessions, while your therapist responds as they are able.

Medication availability and coverage may vary by member location, clinical appropriateness, and individual pharmacy/insurance benefits. Prescribing decisions are made by the treating clinicians. We do not guarantee that any specific medication will be prescribed or covered by a member's insurance plan.

How effective is online therapy for grief?

In general, online therapy is regarded as a valid alternative to in-person mental health care. When it comes to grief specifically, a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis reported that "web-based grief interventions have a positive and promising effect on anxiety, depression, grief, and post-traumatic stress disorder in bereaved individuals."

Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp can support those experiencing grief by connecting them with qualified providers that meet their needs and preferences. In 2024, 93% of client preferences were met during the matching process.