During National Grief Awareness Month, a reminder that nobody needs to grieve alone.

Every Saturday morning at 8am, I have the privilege of welcoming people from across Monterey County into a free online grief support group held entirely in Spanish. Some participants come ready to talk. Others arrive with questions. Some simply listen. I always remind them that listening is also participating in these 90-minute sessions.

For many people in our Hispanic community, talking about grief or mental health can feel uncomfortable. Finding grief support in Spanish can be even harder. That’s why this group, offered through the Papillon Center for Loss & Transition, is so important. It isn’t just about offering services in Spanish – it is about creating a space where people feel understood, respected and safe enough to grieve in their own way.

Many people ask me if I can help them feel like themselves again. My response is always honest: I don’t have all the answers. What I can offer is a place where they can show up exactly as they are, express their feelings without judgment, and never feel the need to apologize for their tears.

While grief can feel incredibly isolating, participants are not alone.

One of the most meaningful moments for me is when participants begin supporting one another. They share their own experiences, offer words of encouragement, and talk about what has helped them move forward. Those conversations remind everyone in the group that while grief can feel incredibly isolating, they are not alone. That simple realization can make all the difference.

As we recognize National Grief Awareness Month this August, I encourage anyone who is grieving to practice something we often forget: kindness toward ourselves.

Grief is messy. I often describe it as a tornado or as a plate of spaghetti. It doesn’t move in a straight line, and there is no right or wrong way to experience it.

We often expect ourselves to be stronger or recover faster than is realistic. Instead, I encourage people to remind themselves they are doing the best they can. Doing your best may look different than it did before loss. It may be getting out of bed, taking a shower, stepping outside to feel the sunshine, reaching out to a trusted friend or mental health professional, or smiling without guilt. It may mean simply reminding yourself: “I am doing the best I can in this moment.”

If you or someone you know is grieving, there is support available. In addition to the Spanish-language group on Saturdays, Papillon offers free, professionally led support groups in English, individual grief counseling for children and teens, “Grief 101” educational sessions, peer grief companionship and more. All are offered at no cost.

Our Spanish adult grief group meets online every Saturday at 8-9:30am. It is open to all Monterey County residents, and there is no commitment. Whether you need to share your story or simply listen, you are welcome. Because no one should have to grieve alone.

CRISTAL SANTANA is a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical counselor at Papillon Center for Loss & Transition. Learn more at (800) 214-5439 or papilloncenter.org.