From May 13th to May 19th, Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 will shine a spotlight on the theme of “Movement: Moving more for our mental health.” We all recognise the importance of staying active for our mental well-being. Finding time for exercise during our daily lives can be a challenge. Mental Health Awareness Week happens annually, providing the UK with the biggest opportunity to come together and focus on good mental health. The week aims to tackle stigma and help people understand and prioritise their mental health and that of others.
When it comes to looking after our mental health, seeking help for grief is essential. Grief is a deeply personal and complex emotional response to loss, and its impact on mental health can be profound. When we experience the death of a loved one, none is more profound than the loss of a child. We are often overwhelmed by a range of intense emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt, and despair. These emotions can significantly disrupt our sense of stability and security, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. Individuals grieving may struggle to concentrate, experience changes in appetite and sleep patterns, and withdraw from social interactions as they grapple with the overwhelming weight of their loss.
Moreover, grief can exacerbate pre-existing mental health conditions or trigger the onset of new ones. For those already living with anxiety, depression, or other mental illnesses, the experience of loss can intensify symptoms, making it even more challenging to cope with daily life. Additionally, unresolved grief can lead to complicated grief reactions, where individuals become stuck in a state of prolonged mourning, unable to process their emotions and find closure. It is crucial for individuals experiencing grief to recognise the impact it may have on their mental health and seek support from friends, family, or mental health professionals to navigate the grieving process and promote healing.
Accessing specialist support has never been more important, which is why we are honoured to team up with the recently launched charity Footprints Baby Loss, founded by Sharon and Suzie. Footprints Baby Loss provides vital support to parents and families who experience the death of one or more of their twins or triplets before, during or after birth. They are passionate about supporting families that experience the death of their twins or triplets and have deep empathy due to their own lived experience.
They offer the much-needed following support:
Befriending
Befriending is peer-to-peer support from someone who has experienced a similar twin or triplet baby loss to you. All of their baby loss befrienders are at least a year on from their own loss and can offer a listening ear. The charity endeavours to match people according to their experience where possible.
Online Community
The charity provides a safe, caring and non-judgmental space for their bereaved community to come together to share experiences and photographs (where they want to) with each other. It is a place where you can ask questions and say your baby or babies’ names with people who understand.
Online Support Groups
Our online twin and triplet baby loss support meetings typically have 5 – 10 people attending. Sharon and Suzie host them, and some of our volunteers assist them. It is a chance to be in a safe space with other parents who understand.
In addition to emotional support, tangible tools like baby loss memory books can offer comfort and solace. Our memory books provide a space for parents to honour and remember their lost babies, capturing precious moments, thoughts, and feelings. While not a substitute for professional support, these books serve as a heartfelt keepsake and a meaningful way to preserve memories.
In summary, Mental Health Awareness Week serves as a vital reminder of the importance of addressing mental health challenges, particularly in the context of grief and loss. Through support networks, professional guidance, and tangible tools like memory books, individuals can navigate the complexities of grief, find solace, and promote healing in their mental health journey.
For more information about Footprints Baby Loss charity go to – https://www.footprintsbabyloss.org/online-community
For more information about the whole range of baby, child, twin, triplet and multiple loss baby memory books go to the STORE tab above and click on ALL CATEGORIES.
