Celebrating a Heavenly Birthday Even in death, Kevin’s birthday is sacred. We visit his grave, lay a wreath, and eat at his favorite restaurant. His nieces sing "Happy Birthday" to their beloved uncle. I keep his red plaid shirt in my closet—his favorite color—and travel with it. It’s my way of bringing him along.

Happiness is rooted in our circumstances. It's the fun of a party, the lightness of a vacation, or the laughter during a movie night. It's momentary and spontaneous, usually surfacing when things are going well. Joy, though, is something different. Joy often comes quietly, without needing everything to be perfect. It's not loud or flashy. It's like a deep breath that unexpectedly fills your lungs. It's a bittersweet memory that brings both a smile and tears.

Stigma is more than just a bad attitude or a passing judgment. It's a set of belief.Most people associate this concept with the word "stigma." Public stigma refers to the negative stereotypes and prejudices that society holds. It includes ideas such as:People with mental illness are dangerous. is just weakness. They should just get over it. Public stigma causes discrimination, rejection, and silence. It isolates individuals and makes it more difficult for them to seek or obta

This article is written by a bereaved mother, Linda Henderson, author of The Road of Love & Hope: The Journey of Child Loss. Linda's story...

Grief casts long shadows, especially on days like today. Even when surrounded by the warmth of love from my daughter, family, and husband, there’s an unmistakable emptiness—a space reserved for the one who isn’t here. Mother’s Day amplifies that absence—perfect families in restaurants, social media glowing with tributes. I smile genuinely for the love I still have, but behind that smile is a silence I can hear—the absence of a missing laugh, a hug I can’t return, a voice I

Mental illness affects not only the individual who is going through it but also everyone around them. I understand the frustration, exhaustion, fear, and guilt that can overwhelm us. Sometimes I lie awake at night, questioning whether I said the right thing, if I did enough, or if there were choices I could have made differently in the past. I didn't openly discuss my son's battle with depression, which weighed heavily on me. I kept my son's struggles a secret.

The death of my son by suicide unleashed a profound anger within me that I never knew I possessed. This rage was so intense that it became debilitating. As David Kessler describes, anger serves as pain’s bodyguard. Our bodies struggle to cope with all the pain simultaneously, so anger provides a shield against the overwhelming sadness and hurt we experience. It helps us confront the devastating loss that has altered our lives.

There are many ways to understand the process of forgiveness, and how you come to terms with it will depend on your situation and context. Grief and forgiveness are closely connected; allowing yourself to forgive after a significant or tragic loss leads to healing and peace. Making a conscious effort to forgive someone who has hurt you can be incredibly liberating yet challenging. This process takes time; however, it allows you to stop letting others occupy space in your min

In the years following the heartbreaking loss of my son, I have encountered countless pieces of advice aimed at helping me cope with my grief. A common platitude I often hear is that "time will heal" the deep pain stemming from his death. Yet, my journey over the past five years has made me realize that time alone does not alleviate my profound sadness. Instead, I have found that it is the deliberate and conscious effort to process my grief and confront my sorrow that genuine

Grief is the intense sadness arising from tragic events, such as death or job loss. The word " grief " originates from the Latin "gravare,"

We hope for different things in life. As a high school senior, you may wish to go to college. Hope turns to desires....

I dumbstruck by my son's death. every cell radiated with life and joy, and he grew into a loving and compassionate person. Group helped me.

Sushi by Kevin Itwaru I have been with you for sixty months and two weeks, precisely one thousand eight hundred and seventy days. I have...

Shattered Heart is open to let the light in I am surprised by my feelings of losing my confidence and sense of who I am now. Before...