Medical Director and Clinical Psychologist, Dr Isaac Newman Arthur of UPSA, has called for a healthier societal understanding of grief and emotional healing, stressing that loss is a natural part of life and should not be suppressed or misunderstood.
Speaking with Anita Akua Akuffo on TV3’s The Afternoon Show on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, on the topic “Living Through Loss: Healing, Grief and Finding Hope Again,” Dr Arthur explained that grieving is a necessary and healthy process that helps individuals recover emotionally after experiencing loss.
According to him, society often influences how people express emotions, sometimes discouraging openness and forcing individuals to suppress pain instead of processing it.
“Generally, society informs people how to express their emotions,” he noted, adding that many people are taught to appear strong rather than emotionally expressive, especially in moments of pain.
He emphasised that healing is an essential part of mental well-being, which involves how people think, feel, and behave, and how these factors affect daily functioning.
Dr Arthur explained that loss is one of the major risk factors for mental health challenges, especially when individuals are unable to properly process grief.
“Loss is a risk factor for mental health problems,” he stated, adding that it can worsen existing psychological conditions and affect a person’s ability to cope with life’s stresses.
He further noted that grief manifests differently in individuals, depending on personal experiences, emotional strength, and the complexity of the loss.
“Multiple problems may determine how a person may grieve,” he explained, adding that people respond differently to traumatic experiences, with some recovering faster than others.
Dr Arthur also introduced the concept of anticipatory grief, describing it as the emotional preparation people experience before an expected loss.
He stressed that grief itself is not harmful but rather part of the natural healing journey.
“Generally, grief is a healthy process for healing,” he said, encouraging families to allow individuals to grieve without pressure or judgment.
He cautioned against societal expectations that force people to hide their emotions, noting that some individuals even mask pain with happiness.
“Some people use joy to cover up pain,” he observed.
The psychologist also addressed childhood emotional trauma, explaining that even seemingly small actions, such as emotional neglect, can have long-term psychological effects.
“Just ignoring a child can be traumatic and mental abuse,” he warned, adding that mental health challenges can affect anyone regardless of age.
Dr Arthur encouraged families and friends to be supportive during times of loss, sometimes offering silent companionship instead of words.
“Sometimes, go and just be there and not utter words, because some words add to grief,” he advised.
He also highlighted practical approaches to healing, including self-care, rest, and activities such as sightseeing to aid emotional recovery.
Additionally, he advised against attaching painful memories to recurring special dates, as it may continuously trigger emotional distress.
In his closing remarks, Dr Arthur reminded viewers that tears are a natural and necessary part of healing.
“If tears weren’t necessary, God wouldn’t have created them. Tears are meant to be shed,” he said.
He concluded by encouraging individuals experiencing grief to seek professional help when needed, noting that grief counselling plays an important role in supporting mental health recovery.
By Abigail Inkoom
