When Mother’s Day is Difficult

Holidays are often filled with joy and love, but they can also be challenging. Mother’s Day can be a particularly complicated holiday. For many it a celebration of gratitude and appreciation, but it can also bring feelings of grief and sadness, especially for those who have lost a mother or a child.

During this time of physical distancing due to COVID-19, the grief of losing a mother or child can be compounded by feeling isolated from social supports and being unable to utilize coping strategies that involve being in public spaces.

Here are some tips on how to cope with grief on Mother’s Day:

• Share memories, or engage in an activity or tradition that honors the person you lost.
• Reach out to supportive people. Call, text, or schedule a video chat.
• Write about your feelings, or write a letter to the person you lost.
• Acknowledge and honor your feelings. Pain is personal and everyone has their own way of grieving.

Holidays can trigger symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Lake Behavioral Hospital offers a full continuum of care for the treatment of mental health conditions. With the expansion of our physical space, Lake Behavioral Hospital is now able to offer new modalities and treatment tracks to meet the needs of our community. These additional services will include an individualized trauma-focused treatment track for women.

If someone you know is grieving a loss, it is important to check on them, even if it’s just to say hello. With the increase in deaths due to COVID-19, people are experiencing loss collectively worldwide. It is helpful to know that we are not alone in our grief and anxiety.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing mental health challenges during this time, Lake Behavioral Hospital can help. Call us at 855-990-1900.