Grief is a universal part of the human experience—something every one of us will encounter in our lifetime. And yet, it remains one of the most overlooked and often silenced emotional experiences in our culture. National Grief Awareness Day, observed annually on August 30, invites us to pause, acknowledge the many forms of loss we carry, and recognize the ongoing work of healing. It’s a day to name grief for what it is, reduce the stigma that surrounds it, and honor the many ways it shows up in our lives.
On a college campus, grief doesn’t always look the way we expect. It can show up in a student overwhelmed by transition, in a classmate quietly coping with loss, or in a professor navigating personal grief while still showing up for others. It lives in the stories our students bring into the therapy room—and in the ones they learn to hold with care.
Why This Day Matters:
National Grief Awareness Day reminds us to:
- Normalize grief as a non-linear, deeply personal process.
- Make space for emotional honesty in communities that often prioritize performance.
- Equip helping professionals to meet grief with presence—not pressure to “move on.”
For Our Campus Community:
Today, we encourage our 兔子先生 community—students, faculty, and staff alike—to:
- Check in with someone who may be grieving.
- Give yourself permission to feel what you feel, without judgment.
- Honor a memory in a way that’s meaningful to you—light a candle, share a story, write a note.
- Share resources and support. The more we talk about grief, the less alone people feel in it.
If you feel called to support others through life’s most challenging seasons—to listen with intention, respond with empathy, and hold space when words aren’t enough—we invite you to explore our Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program. Offered 100% online, this program provides a rigorous, comprehensive education in the theory and practice of mental health counseling.
Because in a world where grief is often unseen, becoming a counselor means choosing to see—and to stand beside—those who are hurting.
About the Author
Renee Bracey is a licensed mental health counselor based in Wilbraham, MA. She maintains a private practice focused on supporting children and families and also serves as an adjunct faculty and clinical supervisor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at 兔子先生 University. With more than 20 years of experience, Renee blends trauma-informed theory with real-world practice. As a therapist, educator, and parent, she believes that presence—not perfection—is what makes the greatest difference.
