A Systems-Based Approach to Supporting Individuals Who Have Experienced Grief and Loss - SAMHSA - A Part of the Refocus and Renew Series

The death of a loved one is a universal experience and one of the most severe stressors in a person’s life. Grief is the natural response to bereavement that can be intensely painful, disorienting, and disabling, often affecting the health and mental health of those who experience it. Yet health, mental health, and substance use service providers and service systems leaders often fail to recognize and understand grief and thus do not provide the support grieving individuals might need.

This paper presents a G.R.I.E.F. framework for system leaders and policymakers to help set an intention to shape grief-informed service delivery systems. The G.R.I.E.F. framework outlines five core principles to guide the development and implementation of high-quality grief-informed services throughout the community and within clinical service systems.

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