Grief & Loss

Course details

This course provides you with a critical introduction from a psychological perspective to issues related to grief as a response to situations of significant loss or trauma. Experiences of loss and grief in contemporary society are shaped by many factors, including the globalization of culture, the popular culture of the mass media, and changing views on spirituality. New frameworks are developing that provide useful directions for individuals and for public health in understanding and coping with grief from socially just and culturally affirming perspectives.

Bereavement refers specifically to the process of recovering from the death of a loved one. Grief is a reaction to any form of loss. Both encompass a range of feelings from deep sadness to anger, and the process of adapting to a significant loss can vary dramatically from one person to another, depending on his or her background, beliefs, relationship to what was lost, and other factors.

Grief is associated with feelings of sadness, yearning, anger, among others. Some people may experience a sense of meaninglessness, and others can feel a sense of relief. Emotions are often surprising in their strength or mildness, and they can also be confusing, such as when a person misses a painful relationship.

This training course is open to public, persons who were bereaved or have suffered a loss such as the ending of a relationship or loss of job in the previous three months should not attend.

Main topics which will be discussed:

You will explore the diversity of people’s experiences of loss, trauma and grief and the differing meanings given to these experiences; examine key theories for understanding loss, trauma and the grieving process; and explore individuals and social responses to significant loss, trauma and grief, identifying particular problems and ways of constructively responding to these.

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

Describe the impact of social, cultural and psychological factors on perceptions of loss and trauma and the ways people grieve.- Explain key theories and concepts for understanding loss, and the grieving process- Formulate constructive ways of responding to the needs of grieving individuals, families and communities.- Critically evaluate your own ideas, values and learning about the diversity of personal and public responses to loss, and grief as shaped by a range of factors and contexts.