I Am A Griever

Jim – Significant incidents

June 13, 2023

Jim discusses being involved in a significant incident and how it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and ruminate over it. You may even start to drink or use drugs to cope. But it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Many police officers have been through similar experiences. And there are resources available to help you get through this.One of the best things you can do is talk to a trusted friend or colleague. They can offer support and understanding. You can also seek professional help from a therapist or counselor. They can help you to process your experience and develop healthy coping mechanisms. It’s also important to remember that you can’t change the past. But you can learn from it. And you can move on. Don’t let one incident define you. You are a strong and capable person. And you will get through this.

First Responders / I Am A Griever / Supporting Others / Video

Scott – The importance of processing

February 6, 2023

Scott discusses having a nervous breakdown and realizing that he hadn’t fully processed the grief he had been through with the loss of his mother and father. He also discusses how music helped him moving forward

I Am A Griever / Music / Video

Joyce – Being gentle on yourself

April 23, 2023

Joyce explains the importance of being gentle on yourself in grief as you face guilt and should haves

Death of a Child / Death of A Loved One / I Am A Griever / Video

John – Being helpful to someone in grief

February 23, 2023

John shares his thoughts on how to help someone in grief

Death of A Loved One / Death of a Partner / I Am A Griever / Supporting Others / Video

Jim – Supporting someone in crisis

June 13, 2023

Jim talks about supporting someone in crisis and how being there for them can help. That may mean answering the phone at 2am, taking them to the doctor’s appointment, and checking tup on them. It’s not easy, but it’s the right thing to do. He was fortunate to have a friend who did this for him, and is still grateful for their support. If you know someone who is struggling, don’t be afraid to step up. It could make all the difference.

First Responders / I Am A Griever / Supporting Others / Video

Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Other Special Days

September 15, 2022

When we are grieving, some days are more difficult than others. Grief comes in waves like the sea and can feel like an intertwining labyrinth of emotions. Birthdays, anniversaries, and special dates that are associated with our loved one who has died can contribute to more emotionally intense days which can be worsened through the anticipation and “what ifs” of the upcoming day. These difficult days can leave us feeling defeated and it can almost feel like we’ve taken two steps backward in our grieving process, but grief does not have a timeline, and these feelings of setbacks are opportunities for healing.

Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Grief and Trauma / I Am A Griever

Adam – Advice

December 21, 2022

Adam shares his advice about losing and remembering a loved one

Death of a Parent / I Am A Griever / Video

Nicole – Pandemic’s Effect on Grieving as a Community

March 25, 2023

Nicole discusses the ways the pandemic has affected the way people grieve as a community.

Collective/Community Grief / Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Death By Overdose / Death of A Loved One / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic / Grief and Trauma / I Am A Griever / I Am A Professional / Video

Lyss – Writing Songs and Words

March 23, 2023

Lyss shares about how writing songs and words has helped her with intense feelings

I Am A Griever / Music / Music / Songwriting & Grief / Video

Finding Joy During the Holidays After Loss When Everything Feels Awful: A message of hope.

December 10, 2024

My mother died in the middle of the night on January 1, four days before I turned sixteen. I don’t remember much about Christmas the couple weeks before she died, just that we spent a lot of that season in the ICU of the hospital where my mother had birthed my brother and I. For…

Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Death of A Loved One / Death of a Parent / I Am A Griever

Infant & Reproductive Loss Toolkit [Free Downloadable PDFs for Individuals and Professionals]

October 2, 2024

Navigating life, death, and loss can be overwhelming. Mental health professionals designed this toolkit for individuals, parents, caregivers, and families navigating perinatal and reproductive loss. Reactions to pregnancy and reproductive loss are as unique as fingerprints. Some can process the experience relatively quickly, while others experience unrelenting pain and grief. We hope that this toolkit…

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Death of a Child / I Am A Griever / I Am A Professional / I Am A Supporter / Perinatal / Supporting Others / Toolkits

Kate – Stigma

March 11, 2023

Kate discusses how difficult the stigma is to deal with

Death By Overdose / Death of A Loved One / Death of a Sibling / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic / I Am A Griever / Video