Student organization aims to break the stigma around grief and loss

A new student organization has formed on campus to bring students together around issues of grief and loss. Grizzlies Together in Grief aims to reach students who are experiencing grief with a simple message: "You are not alone."

In contrast to professional counseling, the organization is based on a peer-to-peer support model in which students share their grief experiences with each other in a non-clinical setting.

"This type of peer support model has been very successful at universities around the country," said Red Douglas, founder and president of Grizzlies Together in Grief. "We're offering a space where students can find camaraderie and break down self-perceived notions of isolation."

Douglas, a student in OU's doctoral program in educational leadership, within the School of Education and Human Services (SEHS), said he was inspired to start the organization because of his research on the academic and social impact of grief and bereavement on college students.

"What we see with college students is they feel very isolated and that grief is something that only happens to them," Douglas said. "They don't realize the prevalence of grief among college student populations."

Studies show that as many as 40% of college students have lost a loved one within the past two years. Bereavement can impact students' physical, mental and social wellbeing, putting them at greater risk of discontinuing their education.

Douglas described OU as being "ahead of the curve" in providing access to grief support services and hopes that Grizzlies Together in Grief can be another resource for students who are experiencing grief - whether from bereavement or other issues such as loss of health, employment or a relationship.

Dr. Jennifer Matthews, faculty adviser for Grizzlies Together in Grief, said the group gives students an outlet to express their feelings openly and without fear of judgement.

"The goal is for students to feel supported and encouraged," said Mathews, associate professor and chair of the SEHS Department of Counseling. "It's so important that we normalize these feelings and reduce the stigma around grief and loss."

Grizzlies Together in Grief is partnering with Active Minds at OU, a student organization focused on mental health, to host a kickoff event from noon-1 p.m. on Friday, November 21, in Oakland Center Ambassador Room B. The event will be dedicated to the memory of longtime OU leader Glenn McIntosh, who passed away in September.

"We had been in talks to get Grizzlies Together in Grief up and running before Glenn passed," Douglas said. "His death was something no one expected. It affected so many people, and it just feels like this is the right time for an organization like this."

Matthews said the group welcomes all students, recognizing that grief experiences - and expressions of grief - vary from person to person.

"Like any support group, people can share as much as they want to share," Matthews said. "Some people choose not to share anything, and that's okay. Grieving is a highly individualized process that is different for everyone."

Oftentimes, the simple act of being together is enough to show people they are not alone - a message that Douglas hopes will resonate with students.

"To me, if one person came to one meeting and met one friend, and that was the difference between them dropping out or staying at Oakland, that would be a success," he said. "If we had a fundamental impact on a person's experience in knowing that they aren't alone and that there was somebody they could relate to who went through grief or bereavement, that would be wonderful."

For more information about Grizzlies Together in Grief, email [email protected] or follow the group on Instagram.

Coordinated through the Office for Student Involvement, explore GrizzOrgs to learn about OU's nearly 300 student organizations.