The holidays can be stressful for anyone, but navigating the holidays after experiencing a significant loss can be especially challenging. In this episode, clinical psychologist and author of Courage for Lambs: A Psychologist's Memoir of Recovery from Abuse and Loss,   Dr. JoAnn Nishimoto, shares her personal journey of the loss of her husband during the holiday season and her journey toward healing. Dr. Nishimoto speaks with honesty, vulnerability, and hope as she shares her hard-earned, practical wisdom and clinical insights for those grieving and those seeking support those navigating loss. 

Resources: 

1) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

2) GriefShare offers grief support and recovery for individuals navigating loss. Their is tool on their website to find the support group nearest to you: https://www.griefshare.org

3) Catholic Charities in the Chicagoland area offers support groups for those who have lost someone to suicide. Outside of Chicago, reach out to your local Catholic Charities to see if they offer such groups in your area: Catholic Charities L.O.S.S. Groups (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide)

Reminders: 

1) You are loved. 

2) There is support and help available. 

3) There are skilled people to help you navigate your emotions if you need extra support to process your emotions, grief or thoughts of self-harm. Reach out to a counselor, a pastor or clergy person or trusted friend for support in getting the help you need. 

4) It is okay not to be okay, but when you are not okay, remember to reach out for help and support. 

5) Everyone grieves, adults and children. It is healthy and good to grieve. Grief comes in waves and in moments that can surprise us. 

6) It is good and okay to share fond, loving memories of a loved one or the loved one of a friend, who has passed away. 

7) When people reach out to you for support, listen to them the first time. Be a peaceful, loving presence and help them get the support they need.

8) Do not tell people who are grieving or struggling with suicidal thoughts to pray more. Love them and support them in getting support. 

9) When grieving, journaling and reading can be good tools for adults and children to help  continue to process your grief and move toward healing. 

10) Use mirroring when helping caring for those who are grieving. 

Tips for Accessing Care:

1) If you need a counselor, call your doctor for a referral or your insurance company and find out what resources may be available to you with your insurance. 

2) If you don't have insurance or your insurance does not cover counseling, many places work with sliding scale fees. Reach out to clergy or ask counselors for referrals for counselors who operate on a sliding scale. 

3) Many insurance companies offer reimbursement for counseling fees if a counselor is not covered under your insurance. Some reimburse at as much as 75%. It is worth exploring it finances are a concern. 

4) Some churches and counseling offices offer benevolence funds and may help with counseling. It is okay to ask. If they answer is no, simply request a referral for a sliding fee counselor. 

5) A trusting relationship is one of the greatest predictors for success in a therapeutic relationship. Give a counselor a session or two, and if you are not connecting, move on. You will not hurt their feelings. They want you to feel supported.