August is Grief Awareness Month and Dallas County Community Health Educator Natalie Peters details ways to support people who suffer a loss.

Peters explains that a person experiencing a loved one’s death takes a toll, resulting in physical and mental impacts. She notes that physically, a person may be susceptible to heart issues, a weakened immune system, disrupted sleep, and fatigue. Peters outlines that potential mental symptoms of grieving could be depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and is a greater risk for substance use and suicidal thoughts. She names ways people can offer their support to those who are grieving.

“We can do our part by offering a listening ear. It’s important when we have those conversations though to avoid offering unsolicited advice, but rather just be there to validate their feelings, and if they ask for help, then that would be an appropriate time to offer it. You can also show your support with a card, flowers, preparing some meals for them, or offering to do some chores for them or running some errands, you can just take some of that weight off their shoulders, but you can also help them to find a support group or a counseling service if they’re interested. So just be there for them and look out for them.”

Peters recommends other ways to show you care is through a card, flowers, preparing meals, offering to do chores or errands to help take weight off of that individual. She suggests ways for  people who are grieving to consider informing a healthcare provider or mental health professional, who may administer medication, counseling, or point them in the direction of a support group. She adds that if people need to connect with a healthcare provider or mental health professional, Dallas County’s Health Navigation Team can do so for free, and their number is (515)-993-3750.