The document discusses the five stages of grief that are experienced universally when mourning the death of a loved one. The stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. People progress through the stages at different rates and with varying intensities. The stages do not always occur in a linear order and some may get stuck in a particular stage for life.

1. A Long Way Gone

2. 
What do you know about grief ? Have you
ever experienced it? How does it affect
the human psyche (mind)?

3. 
The stages of grief (mourning)are
universal and are experienced by people
from all walks of life

We spend different lengths of time
working through each step and express
each stage more or less intensely

Stages do not always occur in order

4. 
The initial, or first, reaction to learning of
the death of a loved one is to deny the
reality of the situation – refusing to
accept facts

Denial is a defense mechanism to protect
ourselves – buffer the shock of death

5. 
This stage is where reality and pain
emerge and intense emotions are
expressed in anger and rage

Anger can be aimed at objects, strangers,
family, friends, or the loved one who has
passed

Feelings of resentment and guilt are
common emotions in this stage

6. 
In this stage, there is an overwhelming
feeling to regain control

Bargaining is a reaction to feeling
helpless and vulnerable from the Anger
stage

Try to negotiate to postpone or delay the
death of a loved one (with a higher
power)

7. 


This stage is where one begins to
understand certainty of death
Feelings of sadness and regret are
common
Can become disconnected from love and
affection from others

8. 



In the final stage, an individual comes to
term with death.
This phase is marked by withdrawal and
calmness.
This is not period of happiness but rather
acceptance which allows them to move on
Not everyone is able to achieve this stage –
some may be stuck in another stage all
their life