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“One thing’s for certain/No matter the shoes/Sooner or later/Everybody sings the blues” – Joe Jencks
Grief and loss eventually visit upon all people. Sometimes students get hit with a loss while in the midst of college.
The Southwestern College Grief and Loss Support Group was designed to help students through hardship while keeping their education on the tracks. Director of Student Development and Health Services Anthony Gutierrez said his staff works to help students navigate the emotional ups and downs of death and loss. The support group is open to all students going through the grieving process, according to Athina Flores, a student who is part of the team.
“It is important that we have support groups to help identify what you’re feeling through the grieving process,” she said. “We want to help students process what has happened in a healing way that acknowledges the feeling of loss but not the emptiness.”
Support groups sessions help students gain an understanding of the grief process, said Stephanie Hall, a psychology instructor. Grief, she said, comes in waves.
“You can be in a really good place, but when those waves come crashing down that is the feeling of grief,” she said. “You are re-experiencing the pain, shock and discomfort of the event. There is not a clear timeline (to predict) these waves.”
Hall said attending a support group can be beneficial to students as an opportunity to make connections with others who have gone through a similar experience.
“We strive to build a support system whereby students can identify with others,” she said. “People can learn so much from other people who have gone through a difficult time. Sometimes a person can share a moment that really helps someone else by showing them a way forward.”
Clinician Margret Daynes runs the support group. Hall said is the Southwestern College support group is not available during a time of individual crisis she recommends the following resources:
Southwestern College Personal Wellness Counseling: (619) 421-6700 X5279 or swcpersonalwellness@swccd.edu.
TalkNow (immediate support): (619) 941-0390.
TalkNow (website): timelycare.com/swccd.
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988.
211 Information and Referral Service: (800) 227-0997.
South Bay Community Services (24-hour hotline): (800) 640-2933.
NAMI San Diego Family and Peer Support: (800) 523-5933.
San Diego Access and Crisis: (888) 724-7240, www.optumsandiego.com
San Diego Access and Cris Chat: Monday-Friday, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Crisis Text Line: Text COURAGE to 741741
Kaiser Crisis Line: (800) 900-3277
www.jedfoundation.org
Bereavement Group Community Resources.pdf
