On Collective Grief: Caring for Our Emotions in the Wake of the U.S. Election
Collective grief is a term used to describe the reaction of a group of people who undergo a significant loss or extreme change together. This can include experiencing any tragedy that affects a community or nation. We can feel this type of grief following a natural disaster, an act of mass violence, a hate crime, a pandemic, an act of war, or any event that threatens the safety and stability of our community.
Grief is a natural response to all kinds of loss - changing relationships, losing a job, moving to a new city, experiencing decreased physical or mental functioning, confronting our own mortality, or becoming disillusioned about the state of the world. We can also grieve the loss of a vision or expectation for the future.
Why Am I Still Sad?Understanding Grief
Grief is a natural response to all kinds of loss - changing relationships, losing a job, moving to a new city, experiencing decreased physical or mental functioning, confronting death, or even becoming disillusioned about the state of the world. Grief may continue to wash over us in waves for weeks, months, or even years after a significant loss. However, understanding grief and our response to it may help us cope with the waves when they come.