Coping with grief and loss
Aug. 30 is National Grief Awareness Day. If you or someone you love is struggling with grief or depression, we invite you to explore resources available to support you and your family’s well-being.
Grief & depression
The UF Employee Assistance Program has two licensed therapists dedicated to serving UF employees. Schedule an appointment or request a department visit today.
Explore these printable depression & grief tip cards from our on-campus therapists.
Watch the recording of our Grief & Coping with Loss workshop with Taylor Williams, founder of Gainesville Guts and Glory, or listen on Spotify.
Participate in a guided meditation on awakening kindness and soothing grief.
Legal resources & end-of-life care
The Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of leave for specific family or medical reasons without risking job loss.
Explore our Caregiver Support Workshop Series, a compiled set of resources and recorded webinars that tackle topics such as self-care, must-have legal documents, FMLA and more.
From preparation and paperwork to self-care and saying goodbye, browse GatorCare’s Preparing for End-of-Life Care resources.
Need to take some time off? Learn more about UF’s bereavement leave policy.
Calm resources
A limited number of subscriptions to Calm, a mindfulness app with pre-recorded audio content designed to help improve your mental well-being, are still available. Sign-ups are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Try Calm’s A Heart Less Heavy meditation session, to soothe difficult emotions and find peace through especially turbulent times.
Log in to your Calm app and search for ‘grief and loss’ to explore available programs, meditation sessions and more.
Helpful reading
Read this UF Health Jax article on Understanding the Stages of Grief.
Learn strategies for Coping with Loss from the UF Counseling and Wellness Center.
Read this Florida Blue article on Understanding Grief.
Additional mental health resources
Explore GatorCare’s Emotional Wellness resources.
Browse mindfulness resources at UF.
Crisis hotlines
Losing a loved one is one of the most challenging experiences one can face. If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, help is available. Explore available crisis services below:
- Alachua County Crisis Center – 352-264-6789
- National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial or text 988
- Veterans Crisis Line – Dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255
- Click here for an expanded list of crisis services.