Losing someone suddenly can be devastating. It can have a big impact on people. The grieving process is different for everybody. Some people may heal more quickly. Others may need more time and support to cope with their loss. They may experience:  Mental effects and strong emotions: When someone passes away suddenly, people feel many intense emotions. Those can include shock, sadness, anger, and guilt. They could also feel very sad or worried all the time. These feelings can be very strong and overwhelming.   Physical effects: The loss can also affect people's bodies. They might have trouble sleeping or lose…

Postpartum depression is a common problem that many new moms face after having a baby. It can make them feel sad and tired. Postpartum depression is not something to be ashamed of or feel guilty about. It is a real medical condition that can be treated. With the right support and care, moms can feel better and enjoy being a mom.   Becoming a mom means stepping into a new role. New moms go from "me to we". There are many challenges that new moms face as they step into this new role. It's really hard. In fact, 50-75% of new…

Questions like "Do you have children?" or "How many children do you have" seem harmless but hit us like a two-by-four when we are sitting with loss. May is Maternal Health Awareness, but pregnancy loss does not have a time limit. The care and healing can take days, weeks, months, and even years. By the end of this article, the hope is that you will have tools to help in such a fragile time.   If you have lost a baby, please know you are not alone. I understand the pain because even though I am a mom, I've also gone…

Almost all of us have suffered from some form of loss in the past-the death of loved ones, the loss of a job, or the realization that a dream would not be fulfilled. We experience these losses differently, but there is a way to process the loss that can lead to growth. Psychologist William Worden developed a model of grief that recognizes that we all grieve in our own way and yet identifies certain common tasks that allow any of us to grieve well. We have slightly modified it here, but retained the idea that these tasks do not have…