Finding support after losing a loved one can be challenging, especially if you don’t know anyone who has gone through something similar. You may find it helpful to read the experiences of others who have experienced loss or join other communities that specifically highlight the ups and downs of the bereavement process. While not all of these resources were written specifically for medical professionals experiencing grief, we hope you can appreciate some of the common themes throughout.
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“To put it simply, this website is about grief. It starts with a death and envelopes everyone from family to friends, to friends of family and friends. Not only is grief an emotional, logistical, and existential nightmare, but it is taxing. It requires us to navigate the world without someone important, deal with complex feelings and emotions, and figure out ways to move forward when everything seems kind of bleak. our mission is to promote grief education, exploration, and expression in both practical and creative ways.“
“Talk Dying to Me is my attempt to wake you up to your own mortality. I was inspired to pursue a career in palliative medicine following years of thinking about death after my mom died. I’ve experienced first hand the benefits of having a healthy relationship with death and dying. I’ve also experienced the challenges of delivering quality end-of-life care in a society crippled with death anxiety. I believe that acknowledging death has the power to change your life. This is a space for fellow mortals to contemplate the hard stuff and weigh in on life’s greatest mystery. Prepare to feel a little uncomfortable and a lot fulfilled.”
While this page is dedicated to college students, it still has valuable advice - “College life is a period of drastic change, with a tremendous amount of growth and maturity at times tinged with confusion, fear, pressure and the thrill of newfound independence. Throw grief into the mix, and it’s easy to understand how difficult it can be to handle the huge spectrum of emotion that a college student might experience. This guide aims to provide a solid rock of support for grieving students and those who care about them.”
“Launched in October 2009, the content of the Grief Healing Blog is aimed at professional and family care-givers who serve the needs of anyone anticipating or coping with significant loss, including animal lovers, the elderly, the seriously ill and dying, and those who are living with disabilities. This blog is designed and intended to share any useful, accurate and reliable information about care giving, loss, grief and transition, whether it is found on the Internet or written by the author herself.“
“I am a medical student and my dad died during my second year of med school. I feel powerless and I don't believe in medicine anymore. How can I deal with this?”
“This three year program is fast-paced and intense, filled with thrills, unforgettable experiences, and great challenges. It is a petri dish for fascinating writing and art. Whether it be a reflection, a poem or a photograph, creative pursuits help us to make sense of the world around us and in turn shape our perspectives as future physicians.”
“Diary of a Widower describes the first year after American born Jennifer, mother to two young boys, died at the age of 41. This blog was launched on November 2, 2012, exactly three years after the first entry and will provide the almost daily diary entries by her husband. Author Tim Overdiek is a journalist from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where he lives with his sons Sander and Eamonn.”
“Sixth-generation funeral director Caleb Wilde understands this reticence and fear. He had planned to get as far away from the family business as possible. He wanted to make a difference in the world, and how could he do that if all the people he worked with were… dead? Slowly, he discovered that caring for the deceased and their loved ones was making a difference—in other people’s lives to be sure, but it also seemed to be saving his own.“
“Mental Health America (MHA) - founded in 1909 - is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need it; with recovery as the goal.”
“I’m Megan, a psychotherapist, writer, grief advocate, & communication expert dedicated to helping you live through things you never thought you’d face. I’m proud to have created an online community and resource that helps people survive some of the hardest experiences of their lives. Through my book, podcasts, and online courses, I help people learn the skills they need to love themselves – and each other – better.”