The floods sweeping through Central Texas have been devastating. Entire communities are reeling: grieving not just what was lost, but who was lost. In the aftermath of such a tragedy, emotions like shock, sorrow, anger, and helplessness can feel overwhelming. And they can surface in different ways for each person. If you are struggling to make sense of the loss, or simply trying to get through one day at a time, know that you're not alone. The resources gathered below offer support for navigating grief, mourning, anxiety, and the emotional aftermath of natural disasters.
What is Grief?
Grief is more than just sadness. It's the natural response to losing something of value. It's a complex emotional response to loss that can affect us in many different ways.
This resource offers a clear, compassionate explanation of what grief looks like and how it can show up differently for each person.
What is Mourning?
While grief is the internal experience of loss, mourning is the task of processing grief. In other words, grief is what we feel when we lose something. Mourning is the work we do to come out on the other side of the pain.
Mourning is a task. It requires work. And it does not happen on its own. This resource explores how mourning helps us process loss.
Working Through the Four Tasks of Mourning
Mourning is an active process and task of working through grief. But how do we mourn? And what does this process entail?
This resource outlines four essential tasks in the mourning process: accepting the loss, experiencing the pain, adjusting to a new reality, and finding ways to carry the memory forward.
How Parents Can Manage Anxiety and Helplessness After a Tragedy
Any tragedy involving children causes significant emotional distress, and parents often feel an even greater weight.
When tragedy strikes, parents are reminded of a harsh reality – that they can’t always protect their children from harm. This can often lead to anxiety and worry, leaving parents afraid to let their children out of their sight. It can also lead to a sense of helplessness.
This resource offers a few ways to manage this anxiety in the face of tragedy.
How to Talk to Kids About Natural Disasters
Natural disasters can be frightening for children, even if they weren’t directly impacted. Seeing other kids hurt or displaced—whether in person, on the news, or online—can make the event feel personal and distressing.
This resource offers guidance on how to have honest, age-appropriate conversations that help kids feel safe, supported, and reassured in uncertain times.
Understanding and Coping with Collective Grief
When tragedy strikes on a large scale, it’s common to feel a deep, aching sadness, even if we’re not personally involved.
This emotional response is known as collective grief, a shared sense of mourning that arises when communities or entire societies experience loss together. It is a reflection of our humanity, our capacity to care, and our instinct to connect in the face of sorrow.
This resource aims to break down the concept of collective grief and help us navigate these painful moments with compassion
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