Understanding Grief and Its Impact on Your Health

Understanding Grief and Its Impact on Your Health

Did you know August 30 is National Grief Awareness Day? While it may not get as much attention as other health awareness campaigns, grief affects almost everyone at some point in life. As summer ends and families prepare for busy schedules, school routines, and upcoming holidays, August is a good time to talk openly about loss, grief, and support.

Grief is a normal response to loss, but many people go through it without the help they need. In Arizona, access to mental health care remains a challenge, ranking one of the lowest compared to other states. And nationally, nearly 1 in 5 adults live with a mental health condition, highlighting the importance of seeking support when grief begins to affect your daily life.

What to know:

• You do not have to navigate grief alone. Many people need mental health support during difficult times, and reaching out for help can make a meaningful difference.
• AZ Blue members have access to behavioral health benefits, including therapy and counseling. These services can provide support for those experiencing grief, loss, and other emotional challenges.
• Access to behavioral health care continues to grow. Over the past four years, AZ Blue’s network has expanded to include 12,000 behavioral health providers across Arizona.

What Does Grief Look Like

Sadness is an emotion. It comes and goes. Grief is bigger than that. It is what happens when you lose something or someone that mattered, and it tends to affect more than just your mood.

Grief can look like exhaustion, short temper, trouble focusing, changes in how you eat or sleep, or a feeling of going through the motions without really being present. It most often follows the death of someone close, but it can also show up after a divorce, a job loss, a health diagnosis, or any significant change that takes something important out of your life.

Some people cry. Some people get busy. Some people feel fine for weeks and then fall apart over something small. None of that is wrong. Grief does not move in a straight line.

When to talk to someone

Grief looks different for everyone. Signs that you may want to get additional support, include:

• Daily tasks at home or work feel hard to manage.

• You have been pulling away from the people in your life.
• Sleep has become difficult, or you cannot seem to get enough of it.
• Things feel hopeless and you are not sure they will improve.
• You have been using alcohol or other substances more than usual to cope.

This is not about whether your grief is valid or serious enough. It is simply about getting the right kind of support when you need it.

What AZ Blue members can do

AZ Blue members have access to behavioral health benefits that may cover therapy, counseling, and other mental health services. To learn more about behavioral health support and your available benefits, log in to your member portal at azblue.com or call the number on the back of your member ID card.

Your primary care provider (PCP) can also be a valuable source of support. They can listen, help you better understand what you are experiencing, and connect you with behavioral health resources or a mental health provider that meets your needs.

In addition to professional support, many people find comfort and connection through grief support groups. These groups provide a safe space to share experiences, learn coping strategies, and connect with others who understand the challenges of loss. While grief support groups are not necessarily a covered health plan benefit, they can be a valuable source of emotional support and are often available through community organizations, nonprofits, faith-based groups, and local hospices.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.