There is Help
Losing a child can feel like being marooned on a grief-stricken planet, alone and helpless. But, as astronaut Neil Armstrong (probably never) said, “One small step for support, one giant leap for grief-kind.” Reaching out to organizations like SAMHSA or joining a support group can help warp-speed your way to solace.
SAMHSA: Supporting Aliens Stranded on Grief-Planet
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides an “existential road-side assistance” experience for anyone struggling with mental health issues. Give their helpline a call at 1-800-622-HELP (1-800-622-4357) or beam up to their website at www.samhsa.gov. Assistance, like outer space, is infinite and operates 24/7.
Support Groups: Uniting Probes in Grief’s Orbit
Support groups form lunar alliances between individuals experiencing similar heartaches from child loss. These celestial meetings provide solace, empathy, and food for the soul (no astronaut ice cream, unfortunately). The following national organizations offer life support to mourning parents:
The Compassionate Friends: These “griefstronauts” fuel parents with support to navigate their child loss, no matter the age or cause. Chart your course to www.compassionatefriends.org for local chapters and meetings.
Bereaved Parents of the USA: Offering empathy boosters and resources to parents, siblings, and grandparents affected by child loss. Plot your trajectory to www.bereavedparentsusa.org for local chapters.
Sands: A UK-based space station for those orbiting the tragedy of baby loss. Connect through their online forums, local support groups, and national helpline at www.sands.org.uk.
Your Doctor: Health Mechanic to Check the Grief-Ship
Healthcare providers can connect you to grief counselors or therapists while ensuring that your grief-ship’s engine is running smoothly during the emotional ride. They’re like interstellar pit crews for mental and physical wellbeing.
The Grief-Galaxy Odyssey
Grieving has no map – everyone’s odyssey is unique. SAMHSA, support groups, and doctors are like navigational stars in your grief expertise, ready to guide you through the void. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help – together, we can traverse the cosmos of child loss encumbering your heart.
Fernside a Center for Grieving Children is another resource for families in Cincinnati. I was so fortunate to volunteer there for 15 years.
Linda – thank you so much for adding this. Would you be so kind to add any other information people should have? I’d love to add that to our resources page as well or even dedicate a whole article to Fernside – I just do not know enough about it. Would love your help to get the word out or even help people know where to donate to Fernside if they wanted to!