Identidade: Conheça a Ofélia que precisou lidar com a perda dos filhos em um curto período de tempo

Summary

In this poignant interview, Ofélia Contreiras shares her journey of immense grief and resilience after losing both her children, Eitor and Lucas, in a short span of time. Despite her sorrow, she found purpose and strength to study psychology, aiming to help others navigate through grief, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of seeking psychological support, as she now dedicates her life to assisting others in overcoming their struggles.

Takeaways

• 😢 Ofélia Contreiras tragically lost both her sons, Eitor and Lucas, in a short period of time.
• 📚 In the face of immense grief, Ofélia pursued a degree in psychology to help herself and others navigate through loss, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
• 🏥 Despite not having a job and facing financial constraints, Ofélia sought help for her son Lucas but was unable to afford private psychological services.
• 💔 Lucas, deeply affected by his brother's death, fell into depression and eventually took his own life on December 28, 2015, intensifying Ofélia's pain.
• 🤲 Ofélia made a promise to herself and her sons that no mother or child should suffer due to lack of psychological treatment, which led her to study psychology.
• 🎓 With the support of her family and a scholarship, Ofélia enrolled in college and overcame the challenges of studying while grieving.
• 🔄 Ofélia's personal experience with loss and depression has made her an empathetic and effective psychologist, specializing in helping those who have lost loved ones.
• 🌐 Ofélia now offers online therapy sessions, reaching out to people across Brazil and beyond, to support them in their mental health journey.
• 🌟 She emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness and the need for society to recognize the value of therapy and psychological support.
• ✅ Ofélia's story is a testament to resilience and the power of turning personal tragedy into a force for helping others, fulfilling her promise to her sons.

Q & A

What was the profession Ofélia Contreiras pursued after the loss of her children?

After the loss of her children, Ofélia Contreiras pursued a career in psychology to help others deal with their pain.

How did Ofélia's first son, Eitor, pass away?

Eitor passed away at the age of 27 due to a traffic altercation where another individual shot him in the back, and the bullet exited through his forehead.

What was the emotional impact on Ofélia's second son, Lucas, after Eitor's death?

Lucas became increasingly sad and his previously bright demeanor began to fade as he felt the loss of his brother deeply, eventually leading him to depression.

What was the turning point for Ofélia to seek help for Lucas?

The turning point was when Lucas expressed to Ofélia that he felt in a dark place, and Ofélia, experiencing his suffering, realized the need to seek help despite her financial constraints.

How did Ofélia's approach to her grief differ after each child's death?

After Eitor's death, Ofélia was focused on continuing to live for Lucas, suppressing her own grief to care for him. After Lucas's death, she was left alone with her grief, which led her to make a promise to study psychology and help others.

What promise did Ofélia make after Lucas's death, and how did she fulfill it?

Ofélia promised that no mother or child would suffer from untreated depression or suicidal thoughts due to lack of access to psychological treatment. She fulfilled this promise by studying psychology and becoming a psychologist to help those in need.

How did Ofélia's faith play a role in her journey after the loss of her children?

Initially, Ofélia's faith was shaken by the tragedies, but over time, her belief in her own capabilities and her mission to help others strengthened her faith, which became a driving force in her pursuit of a career in psychology.

What is Ofélia's approach to working with patients who are grieving?

Ofélia specializes in working with grieving mothers, using her own experience to guide them through their pain. She teaches them to continue living and to honor the memories of their lost loved ones.

How does Ofélia view the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention?

Ofélia emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention as a continuous effort, not just a one-time event. She believes in the need for ongoing support and the promotion of therapy as a positive and necessary step in mental health care.

What are Ofélia's thoughts on regional differences in seeking psychological help?

Ofélia observes that there are regional differences in the acceptance and seeking of psychological help. In some places, there is a growing culture of seeking help and recognizing the importance of mental health, while in others, there is still resistance or lack of awareness.