Bereaved Parents Awareness Month
Bereaved Parents Awareness Month is recognized every year in July. It is dedicated to raising awareness about the grief parents go through after the unfortunate loss of a child and the kind of support needed to overcome this unimaginable grief.
It’s common knowledge that parents should not have to outlive their children. The thought is so painful that many of us avoid the topic because even though most of us haven’t experienced it, we know it’s one of the worst things that can happen to a person. But it is during this difficult time that the people most affected by the tragedy — the parents — must know that they are loved and supported.
Bereaved Parents Awareness Month exists to provide support to parents who have lost their children, but its other aim is to raise awareness about how many parents have suffered the loss of a child. Not only does it enable bereaved parents to find resources and support to overcome their grief, but it also seeks to provide information to others, including family, friends, and relatives, on how they can help parents overcome their loss.
Tips Attain and Give Support
Seek help: Reach out to your family, friends, and communities built around this issue for support. Look for professional therapists and take care of your mental health. Seeking help, or even talking about the tragedy, can be hard at first but it’s an important step towards healing. Engage with the New Mexico Grief Center Offer support: Social support becomes more important than ever during times of grief. Even if you feel uncomfortable at first or are unsure of how to console a bereaved parent, try to at least be there for them. Even something as simple as being a good listener can be extremely comforting. Lend an ear to any parents you know who are going through this difficult time and provide support. Offer to do small chores for them if you feel they might be finding it hard to cope with other aspects of their lives.
Stick together: Lean on your family members for support as they are probably going through the same emotions that you are. Sticking together will remind you that you are not alone. This can be a turbulent time for families and knowing you have each other’s backs can go a long way on the road to recovery.
Facts About Bereavement
Those left behind: Each death leaves behind an average of four to five mourners.
Time heals grief: For most people, extreme feelings of grief begin to go away after six months of the tragedy.
Caregivers may process grief differently: People caring for someone with a longterm illness might begin their grieving process while the loved one is still alive.
Yearning takes over: Studies have found that in the two years after a death, the most reported symptom is yearning for the person who is gone.
Complicated grief: Research has found that if symptoms of grief aren’t fading away by six months after the loss, it may be a sign of a more serious problem called “complicated grief.”
Why Bereaved Parents Awareness Month is Important It normalizes talking about tragedy: Many people who have experienced the death of a child find it hard to talk about the child. People often avoid mentioning the person’s name or even talking about it as they think it can cause pain to the mourners. But sharing feelings always helps overcome grief.
Many people go through it: By the age of 70, 15% of American parents have lost a child, which is a greater number than many of us would have assumed. Bereavement affects a lot of parents around the world and although they might get better with time, they will always appreciate any support.
It’s an extremely stressful event: Losing a child is one of the worst things that can happen to a person. It’s safe to say that it’s every parent’s biggest nightmare. Such an event can have harmful effects on the parents, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, marital disruption, and even premature death.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the present moment, without judgment or distraction. It involves paying attention to your thoughts, emotions, and sensations in a non-judgmental way, while also being aware of your surroundings.
The goal of mindfulness is to cultivate a sense of calm and inner peace, by focusing on the present moment and letting go of worries or distractions. This can be done through a variety of techniques, such as meditation, breathing exercises, or simply paying attention to your thoughts and feelings as they arise.
One of the key benefits of mindfulness is that it can help reduce stress and anxiety, by helping you to stay centered and focused on the present moment. It can also help improve your overall well-being, by promoting a sense of calm and inner peace.
There are many different ways to practice mindfulness, and what works best for one person may not work as well for another. Some people find it helpful to meditate regularly, while others prefer to engage in mindful activities like yoga or walking in nature. The important thing is to find a practice that works for you, and to make it a regular part of your routine.
Free Mental Health Resources in Cibola:
New Mexico Crisis and Access Line | www.nmcrisisline. com
Crisis and Access Line | 1-855-NMCRISIS | 1-855662-7474 Peer-to-Peer Warmline | 1-855-4NM-7100 | 1-855466-7100 NMConnect smartphone app helps you easily access support in the moment you need it.
Call or Text 988 for quick, free, mental health support.
Village of Milan Police Department has a chaplain program that supports first responders in need. Understanding the wide community need for mental health support, MPD’s chaplain program can also serve the wider public, visit MPD at 619 Uranium Avenue, Milan, New Mexico, 87021.
MPD has a YANA Program to help those feeling lonely or depressed. People in the program will receive a free, daily phone call and will get the opportunity to chat. Visit https://www.villageofmilan. com/y.a.n.a._registration/ index.php for more information.