Global Grief Network logoGGN Cumulative Grief and Multiple Losses
Global Grief Network Education Center
Module 5 of 6

Recovery and Rebuilding

About 1 hour

If you or someone you know may be in danger right nowCall 988Text 988Immediate danger: call 911

988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7 by call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans: dial 988 then press 1. Outside the US, use your local emergency number or crisis line. This program is education, not crisis care. If you are struggling as you read, please pause and reach out now.

Lessons in this module
  1. What recovery can mean
  2. Pacing
  3. More support

Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Lesson

What recovery can mean

Recovery after many losses does not mean forgetting or being done with grief. It can mean slowly rebuilding capacity, finding moments of joy, and carrying losses with more steadiness.

Pacing

Pacing means balancing time with grief and time with rest, connection, and life. It may mean saying no to some demands for a while, or planning a gentle day around a hard anniversary.

More support

If grief stays heavy and disabling, if numbness or hopelessness deepen, if substance use grows, or if thoughts of suicide appear, connect with a licensed mental health professional. Call or text 988 in a crisis, or call 911 for immediate danger.

GGN reminder: Hope can grow slowly, alongside grief, one small step at a time.
GGN practiceA pacing plan (about 10 minutes)

For the coming week, write one grief moment you will make time for, one restful activity, and one connection. Keep the plan small and realistic. If this brings up pain, pause and reach out to someone you trust, or call or text 988.

Fictional storyFictional Story 5.1: Saying no

After a run of losses, Kemal said no to leading a community project for six months. He used the time to rest, spend time with his family, and visit the graves of those he lost. Slowly he felt more like himself.

Questions to consider:

  1. How did pacing help Kemal?
  2. What could pacing look like for you?

Discussion: Saying no gave Kemal space to grieve and rest, which helped rebuild his capacity. Pacing can look different for everyone.

Reflection Prompts

  1. What does recovery mean to you?
  2. What could you pause or say no to?
  3. What gives you hope?

Module 5 Quiz

Choose one answer per question, then check your answers. You need 4 of 5 correct to pass, and every critical item must be correct. You can retake it any time.