Grief and Trauma

Left Out: Enfranchising Children’s Grief and Loss

August 13, 2025

By: Jessica Milette, MSW, RSW All human beings have the capacity to grieve: people with intellectual disabilities, those living with a traumatic brain injury, and children of all ages. However, many people can experience disenfranchised grief when someone dies. Disenfranchised grief is generally grief that is not usually openly acknowledged, socially accepted or publicly mourned.…

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Blog Post / Grief and Trauma / I Am A Griever / I Am A Professional / I Am A Supporter / Supporting Others

Brenda and Dale – “Returning to Work”

December 17, 2018

Brenda and Dale discuss their experiences going back to work. They continue to grieve the death of their son by suicide.

Grief and Trauma / Suicide / Video

Russell – “Is this your only child?”

December 16, 2018

Russell talks about the loss of his second son and only having one child. Russell continues to grieve the perinatal death of his son.

Death of a Child / Grief and Trauma / Perinatal / Video

Rev. Sky – “It’s OK to cry”

December 10, 2018

Rev. Sky talks about loss due to gun violence, that it’s OK to cry and finding an outlet.

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Grief and Trauma / Video

Cheryl and Mike – “Trying to figure it out”

December 16, 2018

Cheryl and Mike discuss the things they did to help them understand the death of their daughter in a car accident.

Death of a Child / Grief and Trauma / Video

Karyn and Cathy – “Suicide”

July 19, 2020

Karyn and Cathy discuss how the stigma of suicide impacted the lack of acknowledgement of their grief and loss. Karyn and Cathy continues to grieve the death of their father by suicide.

Death of a Parent / Grief and Trauma / Suicide / Video

Krista – “They are not trying to kill themselves”

December 4, 2019

Krista explains they are not trying to kill themselves. Krista continues to grieve the death of her son from opioid overdose.

Death By Overdose / Death of a Child / Death of A Loved One / Grief and Trauma / Video

Krista – “How I dealt with it”

December 4, 2019

Krista talks about how she dealt with underlying issues. Krista continues to grieve the death of her son from opioid overdose.

Death By Overdose / Death of a Child / Death of A Loved One / Grief and Trauma / Video

What Can Help with Early Traumatic Grief?

October 25, 2023

When your child dies you are thrown into a nightmare. None of this is expected to be easy.
Even after several months, it still isn’t. There have been some things that have helped us during
our grief. Maybe they will help you, too.

Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Death of a Child / Grief and Trauma / I Am A Griever / I Am A Supporter / Supporting Others

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

Donna B – “Having Faith”

September 26, 2019

Donna explains how faith has helped her. Donna continues to grieve the death her son during service in Afghanistan.

Death of a Child / Grief and Trauma / Video

Shannon – Guilt vs Shame

November 22, 2022

Shannon talks about guilt can be a part of the grieving process but shame has to do with “is there something wrong with me”

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Death of a Partner / Grief and Trauma / Suicide / Video