Virtual mental health resources for dealing with grief

Losing a loved one is difficult, and can bring with it a lot of grief. Finding support within your community of family and friends can be a huge relief and a way to cope with that loss. Because COVID-19 has made it difficult to be able to make that type of connection in person, now more than ever is a great opportunity to explore virtual mental health resources. We’ve collected a number of different resources below.

Keep in mind that resources can vary from reading about experiences of loss and how to cope, to seeking virtual telehealth services for mental health and grieving, to joining virtual support groups where you can specifically connect with others seeking the same type of support that you are who share similar experiences. There are also many apps and podcasts available that can help with grief and with general mental wellness support and remind you that you are not alone during this time.

Talking to someone

Talking about your grieving can help to identify and process what you are feeling, and work through the emotions you are experiencing. If you would like to talk to someone, the following resources include phone lines you can call as well as resources to connect with a virtual therapist:

• The Association for Mental Health & Wellness: (631) 471 - 7242 ex. 1800

• National Alliance on Mental Illness: (800) 950 - 6264

• Mental Health America lists phone numbers to call by state

• SAMHSA for mental health crises: 1(800) 487 - 4889

• Talkspace 

• BetterHelp 

Podcasts and articles

Reading and listening to the stories of others who have dealt with similar grief situations can help to recognize how you may be feeling and to recognize that your experience is normal and valid. If you would like to read or listen about grief and healing, below are podcasts and articles that discuss grief:

• Project Hope: Reminders About Coping with Grief 

• Grief and COVID-19

• An Open Letter to Those Grieving

• “What’s Your Grief” Podcast (available on Spotify and Apple)

• “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” Podcast (available on Spotify and Apple)

• “Grief Out Loud” Podcast (available on Spotify and Apple)

Support groups

Feeling like no one understands what you are going through can feel isolating, but know that there are many virtual support groups available. Whether you want to share your story or hear others, this is a way to connect with a community of those you can identify with. Below are a few virtual group support networks for dealing with grief:

• GriefShare

• Grief In Common

• Grief Anonymous 

• Mourning Hope

• For loss specifically related to COVID-19, the Association for Mental Health & Wellness has several support groups available that you can explore here

Apps

Mental health apps can be a good resource for general check-ins with yourself and for general mental wellness. Below are a few apps that can provide general mental wellness support:

• Sanvello

• Headspace

• Actively Moving Forward AMF

Grief is a normal part of experiencing loss, and it is always okay to reach out for help and support. You are not alone and there are many resources available to help you through this process. We hope that wherever you are in your journey, you advantage of a few of the resources listed above and see if they help.

— Missy Roney