The loss of a family member, friend, colleague or mentor touches every part of life, and grief looks different for everyone. Feelings of sadness, anger, numbness or confusion are all normal parts of the grieving process, and Mobile County health officials say it is important for people to give themselves time and permission to feel those emotions.
Dr. Kevin Michaels, Mobile County Health Officer, recently reflected on the reality of loss after a birthday prompted him to think about how many people who shaped his life, including friends, mentors, former colleagues and public servants, are no longer here. Officials say it can be difficult to imagine a community without the guidance and everyday acts of service those people once provided.
Support for those who are grieving is available in several forms. Many employers offer Employee Assistance Programs that provide confidential counseling and referrals for people coping with loss, and others may find comfort talking with trusted friends, family, religious or spiritual leaders, or licensed counselors in the community. Local and national grief resources, including support groups, bereavement services and online tools, are also available to help people process their emotions and begin healing.
CredibleMind, an online resource, offers curated articles, podcasts and other educational materials to help people understand grief, learn coping strategies and recognize when to seek additional support. The tool is designed to make it easier to take a first step toward help when grief feels overwhelming, and can be found at alabama.crediblemind.com/topics/death-and-dying.
Locally, residents can access mental health and grief counseling through behavioral health providers, faith-based organizations and community support groups. The Mobile County Health Department can help connect residents with appropriate services and provide information about crisis hotlines, counseling options and grief support programs, and officials encourage anyone unsure where to begin to reach out to their primary care provider or the health department directly.
Anyone experiencing intense distress, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or who is worried about someone else, can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Health officials say grief is a deeply personal journey, but no one has to travel it alone, and they are encouraging community members to check in on one another while honoring the memories of those they have lost.