How to Find Help & Support
Losing your child is such an unimaginable loss. Often times, when someone loses a child, they do not know where to turn or how to seek resources. I am deeply sorry that this list is ever needed and that you or someone you love is experiencing this loss. Below are some resources that may be helpful in finding support and knowing you are not alone.
Additional Support
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline - 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) - Call or Text, Available 24/7 or chat at https://mchb.hrsa.gov/net/mchb-web-chat/chat.html
Postpartum Support International Helpline - 1-800-944-4773 - Call or Text, Available 8am-11pm EST in English and Spanish
Star Legacy Foundation National Telephone Support Line (for pregnancy or infant loss) - 952-715-7731 ext. 1 - Call or Text
988 - Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
National Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call or text 988, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.
Local Resources (Long Island)
Please click the name of the organization for a direct link to their website.
DTTB Angel Baby (631-745-3021) is a nonprofit located in Patchogue, NY offering flower preservation services free for families grieving the loss of a child. DTTB Angel Baby Corp. DTTB Angel Baby also created an annual vigil, a memorial garden, and gatherings throughout the year. DTTB Angel Baby also offers an in-person and virtual grandparents support group for grandparents who have lost a grandchild.
Stony Brook Medicine - Help for Grieving Families (1-800-336-7437) has an entire office dedicated to helping families who are grieving the loss of an infant or young child. There is also a statewide office and local offices throughout NY state.
Northwell Health (516-216-5194) offers a Center for HOPE providing support to parents who have lost a child, as well as children who have lost a sibling or parent.
SIBSplace (516-374-3000) is a place for children who have experienced the loss of a sibling. They offer support, resources, and even a camp for siblings.
Local hospice services also provide bereavement services and resources to those experiencing loss. On Long Island, there are multiple hospice groups.
Good Shepherd Hospice (Member of Catholic Health Services) (631-465-6300)
Visiting Nurse Services (VNS) Hospice (212-609-1900)
East End Hospice (631-288-8400)
NYU Langone Hospital Suffolk Hospice Program (631-687-2960)
Good Shepherd Hospice, NYU Langone Hospital Suffolk Hospice Program, and East End Hospice also offer summer camp style events for children who have lost a sibling. Reach out to their organizations directly for dates and more information.
Support Groups
The Compassionate Friends (877-969-0010) was founded to help bereaved parents regardless of their child’s age or cause of death. They offer online groups, including Facebook groups, as well as in person support groups.
COPE Foundation (516-832-2673) provides supports to children, teens, and adults coping with the loss of a sibling or child. They offer in person groups, online support, and numerous resources.
Bereaved Parents of the USA offers in person meetings, support, and resources for bereaved parents and families in the United States. They offer support for grandparents and siblings in addition to the parents.
Star Legacy Foundation (952-715-7731) offers virtual support groups and resources for families who have experienced pregnancy loss or neonatal death.
There are also many local support groups that may be “General Bereavement” and not specific to the loss of a child.
Please email Ashley at ashleyp@findyouranchorli.com to recommend an addition to this list.
Websites & Podcasts
Life Without Your Little is a blog written by Ashley (owner of Find Your Anchor Counseling Services, LCSW, PLLC) on her thoughts about life after the loss of her son.
Still Standing Magazine is a online publication that shares stories of those who have suffered a child loss or infertility. Since 2012, they have posted stories and content from parents who have been there and know the pain of losing a child.
Sad Dads Club is a online supportive community for dads who have lost a child. Sad Dads Club was created by 3 friends who all unfortunately experienced the loss of a child. They offer virtual support groups, an online community, and in-person meet ups.
Just Enduring is a online community for those who have lost a child. The page provides grief resources, a program to connect bereaved parents together, events, and a blog to help to support parents, family, friends, and caregivers who endure the loss of a child.
March of Dimes offers support for those experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, or certain types of infant loss. The March of Dimes has resources and a community of support. Their goal is to advanced maternal and infant health with the hope of lessening the number of losses each year.
Worst Club Ever is a podcast about child loss by Allie Kramer, a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and loss mom to Theo.
Guys and Grief is a podcast for men coping with pregnancy or infant loss and was created by 3 dads who have experienced the loss of a child.
While We’re Waiting is a Christian faith based podcast sharing personal stories of child loss alongside messages of faith, hope, and healing. They also offer support groups and retreats in various states (none presently in NY).
Grieving Out Loud is a podcast by Angela Kennecke, a journalist who lost her daughter Emily to fentanyl poisoning. The podcast speaks about her loss, as well as stopping the stigma associated with substance use disorder and promoting treatment.
This not an exhaustive list. If you find any other websites, blogs, or podcasts that you found supportive and helpful, please email Ashley at ashleyp@findyouranchorli.com to recommend an addition to the list.
Books
Please note, the links below are for books listed on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
For Parents
From Mother to Mother: On the Loss of a Child - By Emily Long
This is a compilation of letters from mothers who have lost a child to mothers who have lost a child, offering support, hope, and community. This is a good book for the early days following a loss, as it provides validation and a sense of understanding and community.
From Father to Father: Letters From Loss Dad to Loss Dad - By Emily Long
This is a compilation of letters from fathers who have lost a child to fathers who have lost a child, offering support, hope, and community. This is a good book for the early days following a loss, as it provides validation and a sense of understanding and community.
Unexpecting: Real Talk on Pregnancy Loss - By Rachel Lewis
Offering support to help navigate pregnancy loss, this book talks about coping with a postpartum body, how isolating grief can be, struggling with your faith (Christian based), and learning to move forward and create legacy for your baby.
Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby - Deborah L. Davis, PhD
Ask Me His Name: Learning to Live and Laugh Again After the Loss of My Baby - By Elle Wright
Written by a Mom in the UK who lost her son shortly after birth, this book is a reflection of her experience before and after her son Teddy dies and discusses the challenges in navigating being a parent to a child who is not here.
Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief - By Dr. Joanne Cacciatore
A good book for those who have lost someone and those who want to support those who have lost. This book is a bit more of a clinical book and at times can be a challenging read, especially in the early days of grief.
It’s OK That You’re Not OK - By Megan Devine
Written by Megan Devine, a licensed professional counselor, following the sudden and unexpected loss of her husband. This book speaks about grief that is sudden, unexpected, and/or outside the natural order of life. This book is very validating of these different grief experiences and in realizing that oftentimes people do not support grievers in the ways they should.
For Siblings - Toddler & Child
Something Very Sad Happened by Bonnie Zucker
Good for pre-readers. This book talks about death in a concrete yet age appropriate way and validates feelings. While it is written as a “grandmother” died, the names and pronouns are highlighted red, allowing the reader to put in the appropriate name and pronouns for the person they lost.
The Invisible String By Patrice Karst
This book is written for children with separation anxiety or experiencing loss. It explains that people who love each other are connected by an invisible string made of love and that the string is always there, even when the person we love is not.
My Brother Lives In Heaven - By Allie Sheehan
Written by a mom who lost her son, the book is about the loss of a pregnancy and that the child’s brother lives in Heaven but also is with them everyday in their heart.
Where Are You? A Child’s Book about Loss - By Laura Olivieri
While not specifically about loss of a child (sibling), this book acknowledges the challenging question of where does someone go when they die. The book validates feelings and provides the reminder that those we have lost can live on through our memories and in our heart.
God Gave Us Heaven - By Lisa Tawn Bergren
A Christian Faith book about Heaven.
For Siblings - Teens & Adults
Grieving The Sibling You Lost - By Erica Goldblatt Hyatt DSW
Written for teens who have lost a sibling, offering support and coping skills.
Healing Your Grieving Heart for Teens: 100 Practical Ideas By Alan Wolfelt
Written for teens to validate their grief experience and provide ideas and action-oriented tips to cope with grief and anxiety.
Grieving the Write Way for Siblings: A Practical Grief Workbook - By Gary Roe
A writing workbook to support young adults and adults through the loss of a sibling.
Surviving the Loss of a Sibling By TJ Wray
Written for adults who have lost an adult sibling, offering validation of their grief and support.
How to Find a Therapist
Psychology Today has an online listing of psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and other licensed mental health professionals. Once a location is entered, there are options to input insurance information, cost, issue/concern, age of client, etc. in order to find the best match for you.
You can also do a search of the following terms near you to find local therapists:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Psychologists
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor (LMFT)
If you are concerned about insurance covering the cost of therapy services, I highly recommend checking your insurance provider’s website or member’s area to search for an in-network provider.
If there are any other resources that you or someone you know have found helpful, please email Ashley at ashleyp@findyouranchorli.com.
My goal is to continue to expand on these resources in hopes of helping other loss parents and their families.