Grief Group Is Here For You by Aiden Kehayias
Death is a tragic but important part of everyone’s life, and the grief that follows can be one of the most painful things someone can ever experience. No one has to suffer through this alone, however, at our school we have a club called Grief Group that helps students that are going through grief and loss. The Grief Group at Melbourne high school can be best described as a family. When a group forms, different students of what can be wildly different backgrounds come together to help each other with anything, whether that is talking through their grief, current problems, or simply doing homework together. Ms. Imbs, the leader of Grief group states “They become like a family, kids from different backgrounds interact and respect each other.”
A family loves and is willing to listen to each others problems, Ms. Imbs stated “It can be about anything. Divorce, loss, anything.” The group ensures that its members aren’t pushed out of their comfort zone, however, with each member being able to approach their loss in a different way. Ms. Imbs has stated that a major way of being able to comfort students through their grief was by “Listening, they might want to speak or just sit…”. The whole group ensures that there is an air of casualness and light-heartedness. When asked what moments stood out to Ms. Imbs, she replied, “The laughter, I expected a cry fest but it really wasn’t. Many jokes were made, often about their circumstances.” Some past members still stay connected, even after graduating, “Three years ago, students from Grief Group graduated but they kept in touch with me. They text me and check in.”
This is not a closed family. If you or someone else you know is struggling with the death of a loved one or something that feels impossible to overcome, please know that it isn’t. While counselors often refer students to Grief Group, students can also visit room 138 in Building 1 to inquire about anything more. Grief Group is here for you.
Caption:
Mending The Soul In Grief Group: Ms. Imbs is the leader of Grief Group and is excited for the next group to form and encourages any and all students who are going through a loss in their life to join her. The group meets on Thursdays after school in Building 1, room 138, to talk about whatever the group’s members are dealing with, whether it's through listening or by active participation in group activities, the group helps each other through loss and or grief. Ms. Imbs says “I have not experienced grief, I have been lucky to have not experienced a great loss, but I have experienced healing”. And she wants to help the students here at Melbourne high school to find healing, and acceptance, as well.
Photo By: Aiden Kehayias