Releasing the Pain of Loss is the Beginning of Hope

Submitted by Hospice of Marion County

Death can happen to anyone at any age and can be a sudden accident or expected over a long period of time due to a critical illness.

No matter how it happens, or how someone views death and the dying process, we all will eventually experience the loss of a friend or loved one; death impacts our life and the lives of those around us whether we anticipated it or not.

Mental health is as important as physical health and grief is a healing process that takes time. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, nor is there an established normal amount of time to grieve; not everyone can get over a loss the same way and move on with their lives. As we grieve, we might find it hard to let go or impossible to accept the loss. Others find relief that there is no more suffering. The grieving process is different for each person. It’s normal for a person to go through a wide range of feelings; sharing your feelings with others is beneficial on your journey to healing:
• Sadness
• Depression
• Anger
• Guilt
• Shame
• Anxiety
• Sleeplessness
• Acceptance
• Hope

The Monarch Center for Hope & Healing has trained professionals providing grief counseling at no charge to any Marion County resident experiencing the loss of a loved one. Their staff is at the forefront to work with bereaved families and individuals in person, via phone, email or teleconferencing via Zoom sessions.

The Monarch staff guides people in understanding that grief is natural and necessary to healing. It’s natural and part of the journey of life. Their message is that loss of control over external events does not mean loss of everyone’s wealth of inner strengths. Counseling sessions can be individually or in groups, and are available for children, teens and adults.

Services include:
• Adult Grief Support groups (Friends in Grief) offer comfort and encouragement over 5 weekly sessions.
• Memorial Services of Remembrance are special times to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died.
• Grief introductory seminars provide education about the journey of grief.
• Grief in the Workplace to help organizations that have lost an employee
• Monthly Workshops for the general public
• Seminars with the school system
• Teen Tuesdays and Club Soul are programs tailored just for teens experiencing grief
• Camp Mariposa, held twice a year for children ages 5-12, is a day-long interactive session
• Assessment services and community resource coordination (short-term)
• Private consultations about Advance Directives/Living Wills

Additionally, holidays can resurface emotional memories, both positive and negative, making it a challenging time for many. Hospice of Marion County (HMC) is hosting a workshop on “Keeping the Holiday’s Light” on December 16 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Elliott Center, located at 3231 SW 34th Avenue, Ocala. In this session, attendees are provided coping skills for grieving the loss of a loved one, which can be especially difficult during the holidays. The workshop is open to the public and encourages attendees to discover thoughtful ways to keep the holidays light, while providing an interactive activity – everyone is encouraged to bring two or three small photos of their loved ones to create a permanent memento. RSVP to reserve a seat by calling (352) 873-7456 or email mmorrissette@hospiceofmarion.com.

While we may have little control over a loved one’s physical health, we do have options when it comes to staying grounded while undergoing the journey of grief. One way to reduce added stress is to know what your loved one would want at end of life. Having advance directives such as Living Wills and the user-friendly document Five Wishes is something everyone should complete before a medical crisis. A simple two-page Living Will is downloadable at www.hospiceofmarion.com/services/resources. Five Wishes booklets are also available at no charge at Hospice of Marion County. Pick one up at 3231 SW 34th Avenue, Ocala, or call (352) 873-7400 and one will be mailed to your home. If you need assistance in completing these forms, the Monarch Center for Hope & Healing can help.

Visit http://www.monarchcenter-marion.com/ to learn more or call (352) 873-7456 Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. to set up an appointment to speak with a counselor.