Employee Assistance Program: Dealing with Grief and Other Issues
Helping yourself move through the grieving and post-trauma process
-Information
provided by the
Family & Children's Service of Ithaca, NY
Talk about your experience and feelings. Holding painful thoughts and feelings inside may create more problems.
Accept help from those who offer it. Simple human kindness, understanding and support can make difficult moments easier to bear.
Ask for help when you need it. Family and friends may want to help, but may not know quite what to do until you make your needs known to them. Professional help is also available.
Get plenty of rest, eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly. Attend to your appearance. Be alert to physical problems and see your physician when you need help or as often as s/he advises.
Avoid alcohol, tranquilizers and other potentially harmful substances.
Do something productive. Make a list of what you would like to accomplish or change. Start with short-term goals, and then develop long-range goals. Set time limits for completing activities. Recognize and applaud your progress. Try new activities.
Take things one day at a time.
Be kind and patient with yourself. Remember that you are human. Feelings rise and fall, come and go. Some days will be more difficult than others will. No matter how difficult the moment, believe that you can and will endure.
Getting Help
Ask and accept help from friends and family.
Seek professional help. Contact your Employee Assistance Program (255-1531) for information and referral.
Join a support group.
For help with these issues, Cornell staff, faculty, and retirees are urged to call the EAP at 255-1531 for more information or to set up an appointment.