#19(S2) BEYOND CONDOLENCES: SUPPORTING OUR GRIEVING FRIENDS with psychotherapist & grief counsellor Andrea Warnick

In *Being Mortal*, Atul Gawande explores the limitations and failures of modern medicine in dealing with aging and death. Through personal stories, case studies, and research, Gawande argues that the medical profession often prioritizes prolonging life over improving its quality. He highlights the need for greater communication and planning around end-of-life care, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, dignity, and individual preferences. The book encourages readers to rethink their approach to aging and dying, focusing on what makes life meaningful and fulfilling until the very end.

In this seminal work, Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross delves into the emotional and psychological experiences of terminally ill patients through extensive interviews and conversations. The book introduces the now-famous five stages of grief: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It challenges the medical culture of the time by emphasizing the importance of listening to and supporting the unique experiences and needs of dying patients. The book has had a profound impact on clinical practice, contributing to the development of hospice and palliative care, and has transformed how society approaches conversations about death and dying.

In this book, Megan Devine offers a profound new approach to both the experience of grief and the way we try to help others who have endured tragedy. Having experienced grief from both sides—as both a therapist and as a woman who witnessed the accidental death of her beloved partner—Devine writes with deep insight about the unspoken truths of loss, love, and healing. She debunks the culturally prescribed goal of returning to a normal, 'happy' life, replacing it with a healthier middle path that invites us to build a life alongside grief rather than seeking to overcome it. The book provides practical tips and advice on how to handle the situations that arise from grief and challenges the unhelpful rhetoric often encountered by grieving individuals.