When to get help

It’s not always easy to ask for help. Feeling sad or unhappy can lead to being alone and depressed over time. Know the signs of depression so you and your partner know what to watch for. If you need help, contact someone in your area for counselling or crisis support. Get help if you or your partner notice that you:

• suddenly start crying months after your loss
• can’t get out of bed or do things you usually enjoy
• sleep less or more than normal
• feel numb or withdrawing from your partner, family, or friends
• work more than your usual schedule
• use alcohol or other drugs more than usual
• have sudden behaviour changes that aren’t usual for you
• keep focusing on events that happened around your loss
• feel unwell for longer than you should
• feel very angry or agitated
• spend a lot of money or gambling
• have new or more relationship issues

You’re not alone—there is always support available.

If you need help, try these ideas:

• visit a pregnancy or infant loss grief counsellor
• go to a peer support group or bereaved parents group
• attend memorial events or events of remembrance
• get private or couples counselling
• read books or articles or, watch videos about how to cope with loss
• read or write parent blogs