Grief is difficult at any age. When you’re a teenager, it can be especially difficult to manage the complex feelings and thoughts that come from grief as you’re developing your emotional maturity as well as the skills needed to work through hard times. And that’s not your fault. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn how to manage it.

Grief usually refers to the death of a loved one. It can also refer to different types of loss, such as the end of a friendship, moving to an unfamiliar place or losing a pet. Grief looks different for everyone, but it can have a significant impact on your mental, emotional and behavioral health.

When you’re struggling to manage your grief, there are many different approaches worth trying. You can open up about your feelings with other people in your life. You can also reflect on your memories with the person or situation that you’re grieving. In addition online support groups are an effective course of action that can help you move through the grieving process.

How an online support group can help teenagers manage grief

There are various courses of action that you can take when you experience a mental health challenge like grief. But it’s also possible that grief is the first or only mental health concern that you’ve had so far in your life, and you don’t know where to turn. That’s why support groups can be a great starting point.

A support group is a safe space for people with similar challenges to discuss their thoughts, emotions and experiences. It can also be used as a way for people unfamiliar with mental health treatment to test the waters and gain a better idea of the support they would benefit from.

While it’s possible that there are local support groups in your area, an online group encourages greater accessibility and privacy. It also allows you to participate while being in a physical place where you feel comfortable opening up, such as your bedroom.

Here’s what you can gain from seeking an online support group for your grief:

• Validation — We all want to feel understood and have our feelings heard. While people in your life may be able to understand grief, they may not be able to relate to how you’re struggling to manage it. If you’re in an online support group with people who are having the same struggles, they are more likely to understand how you’ve been affected and validate your feelings.

• Learning from others — You may have tried your own coping mechanisms to work through your grief before attending an online support group. If those haven’t worked, or you’re looking for more options, you can learn about different approaches that have helped other people in the group. It can be motivating to learn from someone who has been positively impacted by a different strategy because it provides credibility to the claim.
• Problem-solving assistance — Grief can result in a variety of problems that interfere with your emotional and mental health. For example, a death in the family can lead to conflict surrounding the will or changes in the dynamic. When you’re feeling overwhelmingly sad, your critical thinking and problem-solving skills may not be functioning as usual. A support group can help guide you through these difficult situations and help you navigate hard choices.
• Reduced stigma — Admitting when you’re having mental health struggles isn’t easy. It can make you feel like others will perceive you as “weak” or like people in your life will treat you differently. While the stigma surrounding mental health has been reduced over the years, it can still interfere with people seeking the help they need. By being open and honest about your grief in an online support group, you’re proving to yourself that it’s OK to ask for help and support in times of need. 
• Mutual support — When it comes to mental health challenges, you can feel like you’re alone in how you feel, even if you have people in your life who want to help. Not only does talking to others in a support group help you see that you’re not alone in your feelings, but you can do the same for the other participants. When there’s mutual support, you don’t feel like a burden to the other person, and you can focus on helping one another.

Lightfully provides a free online support group

Everyone goes through the grieving process in their own way and at their own pace. Even so, that doesn’t mean that you have to simply wait for it to pass, especially if it’s impacting your overall quality of life, such as your schoolwork, friendships and hobbies. If grief goes on for a prolonged period, it’s possible to develop complicated grief, which may require intensive treatment.

If you’re a teen trying to manage your grief, attending Lightfully’s free online support group may benefit you. Currently taking place every Friday from 12:30-1pm PT, it can help you address your grief and determine if you need further mental health treatment. 

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step toward addressing your grief, consider joining our online support group. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.