An expert's tips for coping with Mother's Day after losing your mom
For individuals who have experienced the loss of a mother, Mother's Day can be a trying time. Many people take this day to honor their mothers and let them know how much they care about and respect them. Mother's Day is a wonderful celebration of moms everywhere, but for those who have lost their Read More...
Healing together: navigating collective grief with compassion and resilience
Grief is a profound human experience, and when it manifests as communal grief, its repercussions ripple throughout society, affecting our emotional well-being and even our nervous systems. As grieving and trauma therapist Gina Moffa, LCSW, points out, sadness isn't confined to the loss of loved Read More...
Patriot Day's message of strength and unity: We remember, we unite
Patriot Day, an annual holiday in the United States, serves as a reminder of the country's resilience and togetherness in the face of adversity. President George W. Bush established this day in 2002 as a moment to mourn the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to honor the communal spirit that Read More...
The do’s and don’ts of helping a loved one in need
When you know a friend or loved one is going through an especially hard time, like grieving the passing of someone they’re close to or dealing with their own illness, it’s only natural to want to reach out and offer your support. However, sometimes even well-intentioned actions may end up Read More...
How to support a loved one with cancer, according to a cancer survivor
Being diagnosed with cancer is a scary experience. Even though many people develop cancer in their lifetime, it doesn’t make it any easier when you or someone you love is diagnosed for the first time. Unfortunately, there isn’t a definitive “right way” to support your loved ones through Read More...
The Optimist View: How to support someone through grief
“We bereaved are not alone. We belong to the largest company in all the world一the company of those who have known suffering.” - Helen Keller Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the United States. For many 9/11 victims, a voicemail was the only way to communicate Read More...
Grief part II: What to say to someone who is grieving
Being there for someone who is grieving can be intimidating and overwhelming. This is true for those who have not experienced deep loss before, as they may feel like they cannot relate and so will surely say the wrong thing, and for those who know what it’s like to lose someone they care for Read More...
Grief part I: What not to say to someone who is grieving
Loss and grief are experiences that every living creature on Earth will face—yet dealing with them makes people profoundly uneasy. Discussing death and trying to support a grieving person often leaves people feeling awkward and perplexed which may lead to making the person they are trying to Read More...
This artist uses an ice cream van to talk about grief and mental health
Grief is often thought of as something that people handle privately, but this period of collective loss is changing how we mourn. Artist Annie Nicholson (who goes by The Fandangoe Kid) also believes in shattering the taboo around loss, trauma, and mental health. “Grief is a part of life and on Read More...
Collective grief is hard. Here's how to deal with it
Grief and loss are emotions that we all experience on an individual level, and certain events may even induce shared grief among communities. Since its beginning in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought with it strong and unfamiliar feelings of global collective grief. To help make sense of this Read More...