Malaika Arora says family in ‘deep shock’ after father’s passing in heartfelt note; counsellor shares ways to deal with sudden death of family member

Malaika Arora shared a heartfelt tribute to her father, Anil Mehta, who died by alleged suicide on Wednesday in Bandra, Mumbai.

In a social media post, Malaika expressed that her family is in “deep shock” over the loss. She described Anil as a gentle soul, a devoted grandfather, a loving husband, and a cherished family member. The statement requested privacy during this difficult time.

The message was also shared on behalf of Malaika’s mother, Joyce Polycarp, and the rest of her family. Anil was Malaika’s adoptive father after her parents divorced when she was 11 and her sister Amrita Arora was 8.

 

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A post shared by Malaika Arora (@malaikaaroraofficial) 

Dealing with the untimely death of a family member is one of life’s most profound challenges. The grief that accompanies such a loss can be overwhelming, and it’s important to approach the process with patience, compassion, and understanding, said Malika Chandra, psychotherapist at MC Psychotherapy.

Here’s a guide on how to navigate through this difficult time:

1. Acknowledge the grief

Losing someone unexpectedly can leave you feeling shocked and unprepared. Chandra says it’s important to acknowledge that grieving is a natural process that involves a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt, and confusion. These emotions can be intense and fluctuate, and it’s important to allow yourself to experience them without judgment.

2. Allow time to heal

Healing from grief is not a linear process. It can take weeks, months, or even years to feel a sense of normalcy again. Rushing the process or pushing emotions aside can delay healing. Give yourself permission to grieve in your own time and understand that there’s no right or wrong way to do it.

“Grieving is not at all a linear process, so sometimes you might take 1 step forward and then 3 steps back. This does not signify a failure,” Chandra said in an interaction with indianexpress.com.

She added that grieving is not just about the past, but also the future. It can be helpful to identify triggers and try to plan coping strategies. For eg: the person’s birthday. You might choose to honor these days by doing something in your loved one’s memory, or you might spend time with people who understand your loss and can support you during these difficult moments.

 

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A post shared by Joyce Arora (@joycearora) 

3. Seek support

Grief can feel isolating, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or support groups who can offer comfort and a listening ear, Chandra advised.

Sometimes, talking about your feelings and memories of your loved one can help alleviate the sense of isolation.

4. Maintain a basic self-care routine

It’s easy to neglect self-care when dealing with a significant loss, but physical and emotional well-being are essential during this time. Eat well, get enough sleep, and engage in light exercise, added Chandra.

These practices may not take away the pain, but they can help you manage stress and stay healthy enough to cope.

6. Consider professional help

In some cases, grief can become overwhelming to the point where it’s difficult to function day-to-day. If you find that the pain of loss is unrelenting or accompanied by symptoms of depression or anxiety, it may be beneficial to seek the help of a therapist or counselor who specialises in grief. Chandra shared some signs your body might be going through its trauma responses and is still unable to come out of the cycle are: intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, emotional numbness or detachment, completely avoiding the loss.

 

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A post shared by Joyce Arora (@joycearora) 

There is no universal guide to coping with the untimely death of a family member, but by acknowledging your grief, seeking support, and honouring your loved one’s memory, you can begin to heal.

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