According to a survey, about
of Americans reported losing someone close in the past year. 1
Grief is something we all face in life, though it always feels deeply personal and often overwhelming. National Grief Awareness Day, on August 30, is a reminder that you don’t have to walk through it alone. It’s a chance to talk openly about loss, to honor those we’ve loved, and to find hope in the possibility of healing.
At Cornerstone Healing Center, we know how heavy grief can be—and how overwhelming it feels to carry that weight by yourself. That’s why we’ve built a space where compassion, understanding, and connection come first. Whether you’re facing the ache of fresh loss or the lingering pain of the past, you don’t have to go through it alone.
In this guide, you’ll discover what grief is, the stages you may experience, how long it can last, and the signs that it may be too heavy to carry on your own. More than anything, National Grief Awareness Day is also a time to reflect, honor those we’ve lost, and embrace the hope of healing, even when the burden feels unbearable. If you or someone you love is struggling, know that help is here—you don’t have to go through it alone.
What Is Grief?
Grief is a natural emotional response to loss, often marked by sadness, longing, or distress. It can affect mental, emotional, and physical health, and may arise from death, divorce, or major life changes. While grief looks different for everyone, support and coping strategies can help make the process more manageable.2
For some, it looks like deep sadness, anger, guilt, or regret. Others may feel nothing at all at first, only for it to catch up later. Grief can also take a physical toll—tightness in the chest, fatigue that rest doesn’t fix, changes in appetite, headaches, or disrupted sleep are all common responses.
Most importantly, grief is not a sign of weakness. It’s a reflection of the love, connection, and meaning tied to what (or who) has been lost. While the journey is never easy, finding support—through loved ones, therapy, or grief groups—can help transform the pain into a path toward healing, growth, and even moments of hope.
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Understanding the Stages of Grief
You’ve probably heard of the “Five Stages of Grief”—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
This model, introduced by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, can be a helpful guide for understanding grief; however, the truth is that loss doesn’t progress linearly. Grief rarely follows an orderly map.3
In reality, grief feels more like the ocean. Some days it pulls you under, other days it crashes against you, and every so often there are moments of unexpected calm. You may cycle through certain emotions again and again, skip others entirely, or feel things that don’t fit neatly into any stage—such as shock, guilt, regret, anxiety, or searching for meaning.
Experts also highlight other ways to understand and cope with grief.
For example, Worden’s Four Tasks of Mourning suggest that healing often involves:
- Accepting the reality of the loss
- Processing the pain of grief
- Adjusting to life without your loved one
- Finding ways to remain connected while moving forward
These frameworks aren’t rules—they’re reminders that whatever you’re feeling is valid. There’s no “right way” to grieve, only your way. What matters most is giving yourself compassion, time, and support as you navigate it.
6 Practical Tips for Grieving (From a Cornerstone Therapist)
Grief can feel overwhelming, unpredictable, and isolating. Whether you’ve lost a loved one, survived an overdose, or are supporting someone in pain, knowing how to cope day by day makes a difference.
In this short video, Frank Hernandez, a therapist from Cornerstone Healing Center, shares six practical tips to help you process grief with compassion, resilience, and hope.
Remember:
- 1. Allow Yourself to Feel
- 2. Don’t Grieve Alone
- 3. Take Care of Your Body
- 4. Give Yourself Time
- 5. Engage in Activities That Help You Heal
- 6. Ask for Help
How Long Does Grief Last?
There’s no stopwatch on grief. For some, the sharp pain may begin to soften after a few months. For others, it lingers much longer—sometimes years. The truth is, there’s no “normal” timeline. Your experience is your own, and however it unfolds is okay.
In most cases, grief gradually becomes easier to live with, even if the ache never fully disappears. But for about 1 in 5 people, the pain remains so heavy that it interferes with daily life, relationships, and the ability to move forward. This is known as prolonged grief disorder.4 It doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means your grief is especially intense, and support may help you carry it in a healthier way.
Healing doesn’t mean “getting over” your loss. Instead, it’s about learning to live with it, honoring the love and connection that will always remain, and finding space for hope alongside the sorrow.
Quick Tip: There's No Timeline for Healing; Be Easy on Yourself
Grief isn’t something you simply “get over” on a schedule. If the pain feels too heavy, reaching out for support doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you’re choosing not to face it alone. At Cornerstone, we’re here to walk with you through the hardest moments and help you find a path toward healing.
5 Signs Your Grief May Be More Than You Can Handle Alone
Some days you may find moments of calm, while others bring a heaviness that feels impossible to carry. This shift between relief and struggle is normal and part of how grief unfolds over time.
But sometimes grief doesn’t ease, no matter how much strength or patience you bring to it. You may begin to wonder: What is grief supposed to feel like? How long does grief last?
The truth is, there’s no single timeline for healing. Still, there are signs that grief may be more than you can manage alone—and when reaching out for extra support could help lighten the weight.
Here are a few signs it may be time to seek help:
1. Emotionally Numb
At first, feeling numb can almost feel like a relief. It’s your mind and body’s way of protecting you. But if weeks turn into months and you still feel cut off from your emotions, that numbness might be keeping you from truly working through your loss.
2. Hopelessness
It’s normal for grief to bring sadness, but if you’ve lost sight of hope or can’t imagine life getting lighter again, that may be a sign the pain has taken root too deeply. Hope can return, but sometimes it takes support to help you find your way back to it.
3. Withdrawal
Needing some space after a loss is natural. But if you’ve pulled away from friends, family, or the activities that once gave you comfort, isolation can leave you feeling even more alone. Reaching for connection—though it may feel hard—is often what helps us heal.
4. Physical Strain
Grief doesn’t just live in your heart; it can settle into your body, too. Headaches, stomach pain, exhaustion, or always feeling run down can all be grief showing itself physically. If these struggles linger, it may be your body’s way of asking for extra care.
5. Stuck in Place
There’s no timeline for grief. But if it feels like you’re frozen in place and the weight is too heavy to carry alone, that’s okay. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting; it means finding a way to live while holding on to the love that remains.
When grief feels heavier than you can manage alone, it may be time to reach for support. Asking for help is never a weakness. It’s one of the bravest steps you can take toward healing with compassion and guidance.
"Cornerstone came into my life at a time when I couldn’t see a way forward. By following the program’s principles, I was finally able to process the painful events from my past that had kept me stuck and drained. With intensive therapy and the unwavering support of the staff, my path is now filled with hope and new opportunities to soar."
G.A.
Verified Alumni
How Cornerstone Healing Center Supports Those in Grief
At Cornerstone, we know that grief affects both mental and emotional health—and healing requires more than time. That’s why our programs are built on trauma-informed compassionate care that helps clients process loss in safe and supportive settings.
Our Residential Mental Health Program provides 24/7 care in a structured environment, with access to individual therapy, group support, and evidence-based approaches designed to address grief, trauma, and co-occurring mental health concerns. By removing everyday stressors, clients can focus fully on their healing journey.
For those who need flexibility, our Virtual Mental Health Program offers the same expert guidance and therapeutic support from the comfort of your own home. Clients across Arizona can access counseling, group sessions, and coping strategies online, making help available wherever they are.
Every program at Cornerstone emphasizes personalized treatment, trauma-informed principles, and ongoing support. Whether grief stems from the loss of a loved one, a major life change, or unresolved trauma, our goal is to help clients build resilience, restore hope, and create a foundation for long-term mental wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Grief Awareness Day?
National Grief Awareness Day, observed on August 30, was founded in 2014 to bring greater visibility to the universal experience of loss. Its purpose is to encourage empathy, spark open conversations, and remind people that grief is a natural process deserving of compassion and support.
What are the common stages of grief?
The Kübler-Ross model outlines five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. People may not move through these stages in order and can revisit stages multiple times. This framework helps normalize the grieving process while recognizing that every journey with grief is deeply individual.
How long should grief last before getting help?
Grief has no strict timeline, but seeking help is wise if emotions remain overwhelming, disrupt daily life, or intensify over time. If grief persists beyond cultural norms and severely impacts functioning, it may signal prolonged grief disorder, making professional counseling or therapy an important next step for healing.
Can therapy help with grief?
Yes, therapy offers valuable support during grief. Grief counseling helps individuals express emotions, build coping strategies, and adjust to life after loss. For more complex situations, grief therapy provides structured guidance that fosters healing, resilience, and a safe space to process overwhelming emotions in a healthy way.
What is the difference between grief and depression?
Though both involve sadness, grief often comes in waves, triggered by memories or reminders of loss, while depression tends to be persistent, affecting mood and functioning daily. Grief is usually tied to a specific event, but depression may arise independently, impacting motivation, self-worth, and overall emotional stability.
What should I do if grief feels too heavy to handle alone?
If grief feels unbearable, reaching out is essential. Talking with trusted friends or family can provide comfort, while professional support through counseling or grief groups can offer tools for healing. You don’t have to face grief in isolation—connection often becomes the first step toward lightening the burden.
Key Takeaways
- Key Takeaways
- National Grief Awareness Day (August 30) honors the reality of grief and promotes healing conversations.
- Grief affects the mind, body, and spirit, and isn’t limited to death.
- The stages of grief aren’t linear—everyone’s journey looks different.
- There’s no fixed timeline—acute grief may soften, but prolonged grief needs extra care.
- Signs of overwhelming grief include numbness, hopelessness, and withdrawal.
- Cornerstone Healing Center provides therapy, residential programs, and virtual IOP for grief support in Arizona.
- You don’t have to carry grief alone—compassionate help is available.
Grief Support at Cornerstone: Personalized Help When You’re Ready
Grief is one of life’s most challenging experiences, and it never takes the same form for everyone. On this National Grief Awareness Day, remember—you don’t have to face it alone.
Personalized grief treatment and support are here for you at Cornerstone Healing Center, and when you’re ready, we’ll walk with you toward comfort, connection, and healing.
