P – Peer Mentors
Why consider finding peer mentors?
Peer mentors are invaluable resources for healing. They offer perspective about living with grief and trauma, provide a safe space to discuss deeply personal experiences, and normalize feelings and reactions to the life rebuilding process. Those who have “walked the road before” have tools, resources, ideas, understanding, and support to share. Mentors can provide a sense of normalcy when the new world view looks upside down.
How does having peer mentors promote healing?
• By promoting social inclusion, support, and connection in a unique community
• By building resilience and instilling a sense of hope
• By enhancing overall social and emotional wellness
• By empowering individuals with a sense of “normalcy”
Resources
Books
- From Grief to Growth: 5 Essential Elements of Action to Give Your Grief Purpose & Grow From Your Experience by Paula Stephens
- Radical Survivor: One Woman’s Path Through Life, Love, and Uncharted Tragedy by Dr. Nancy Saltzman
- The Rules of Inheritance: A Memoir by Claire Bidwell Smith
- Permission to Mourn: A New Way to do Grief by Tom Zuba
Organizations
- Second Firsts (all loss)
- Modern Loss (all loss)
- The Compassionate Friends (child loss)
- Crazy Good Grief (child loss)
- Moyer Foundation (families with children)
- Dougy (families with children)
- TAPS (military loss)
- Wounded Warrior Project (military loss)
- American Widow Project (military loss with a focus on widows)
- The Dinner Party (loss in 20’s and 30’s)
- Rachel Kodanaz (loss in workplace)
- Modern Widows Club (spousal loss)
- Soaring Spirits (spousal loss)
- Trauma Survivors Network (trauma loss)
