Grief and Bereavement Science

Losing a loved one is not simply a distressing mental health event — it threatens the lives, health, stability, and productivity of individuals, families, and communities. Within the first two years of a death event (or the acute bereavement period), most individuals will present emotional distress, with a few experiencing severe distress requiring intervention by skilled experts. Nonetheless, the implications of losing a loved one are not acknowledged as a severe health event that alters the life course.

Bereavement itself is a major life event that not only causes emotional distress, but also changes the trajectory and outcomes of the bereaved.

Supporting people from devastating medical, financial, and social outcomes requires an evidence-based, qualified, professional response from every provider or professional that touches the family, including law enforcement, child welfare, medical professionals, funeral homes, employers, clergy, and schools.

We can reimagine a tomorrow where families from every color and every walk of life, religion or socioeconomic status, have access to innovative programs and tools that support functional coping and adaptive processing; where the professionals who serve families – whether first responders or HR directors – have the resources in place and know how to help. Now is the time for a social paradigm shift where bereavement care is the rule, not the exception.