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Don’t Be Afraid to Tackle the Mental Health Issues Associated With Grief

By the Reverend Sue Wintz

Not long ago I was given a book on grief, one of those self-published books that anyone can write and sell on Amazon. The basic premise being promoted by the author is that grief can “be defeated” if one just has enough faith in whatever spiritual/religious tradition they embrace. If one is struggling with grief, the author says, they need to have “increased faith” and “quit stewing.” “Too much latitude is encouraged especially in terms of time for grief,” according to the writer. “One cannot rest in peace if his or her loved ones are stewing in excessive grief.”

In other words, the author is saying that if someone is grieving the death of a loved one, he or she simply needs to “get over it.” That really made me feel angry.

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Two Leaders in Hospice and Palliative Care to Receive “Lights of LightBridge” Award July 11th

CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care’s Helen McNeal and LightBridge Hospice and Palliative Care’s, Peggy Davis to be Recognized for Contributions

Two leaders in palliative care and hospice care will be recognized for their unique contributions to their respective fields on July 11th by the LightBridge Hospice Community Foundation. Helen McNeal, Executive Director of California State University Shiley Institute for Palliative Care and Peggy Davis, LightBridge Hospice volunteer representing the Pet Therapy Program for LightBridge Hospice; will receive the Lights of LightBridge: A Celebration of Light award for their steadfast commitment to shedding light on the lives of others.

Jill Mendlen, Chairman of the LightBridge Hospice Community Foundation said, “These two women are being recognized for their deep commitment to hospice and palliative care. Helen as an executive and Peggy as a volunteer, exemplify what compassionate care is all about.”

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Governor Jerry Brown Recognizes Institute’s Importance

Executive Director, Helen McNeal made a presentation to the Cal State University Board of Trustees meeting and her message caught the ear of California Governor, Jerry Brown.

Jerry Brown said – “I would like to get our health department, in some way, connected to this,” Brown said. “Because this is part of a larger redefinition of health care that will be absolutely crucial as we embrace more and more people and everybody gets older.” See the whole story on Capital Public Radio’s website.

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May 2014 Professional Newsletter – Executive Director’s Message

There is an old Chinese saying “May you live in interesting times”. Depending on who you talk to it is either a blessing or a curse. I believe it is a blessing. In “interesting times”, we have the opportunity to be agents of change and creators of a better future.

As I talk with leaders in palliative care, in hospice and in health care systems, the words I am hearing more and more are “culture change”. If palliative care is to achieve its potential … If palliative care is to be at the core of changing our health care system to one that is truly patient-centered, compassionate, respectful of the holistic needs of those with serious or chronic illness and those they love, we are talking about the need for concerted culture change.

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After a Loss – What’s next?

By Caroline Boaz

Associate Director, CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care

Enduring a major loss has a way of turning everything upside down and shaking it around. Roles, identity and self-confidence can all suffer some damage. Once the acute feelings of grief dissipate and you have the energy and curiosity to think about what you want life to be like next chapter you often don’t know where to begin.

Goal setting, understanding how to find balance in your life and even finding ways to forgive and move forward are all tools we need to reinvent ourselves, but ones not easily found or even if we have these skills it is difficult to sit ourselves down and use them for our own good.

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