Resources

Army Survivor Outreach Services (SOS)

Tel: 1-210-466-1168
Website: https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and-services/personal-assistance/survivor-outreach
Email: imcom.sos@conus.army.mil

A program of long-term family support for survivors. This program is designed to fulfill the Army Family Covenant by providing support to survivors for as long as they desire. This support includes: behavioral health information and referral; benefits and entitlements; life-skills training for survivors; financial counseling; and other grief and trauma support. Support is provided to anyone who is affected by the death of a U.S. military service member, regardless of service branch or component.

The Centering Corporation

Tel: 1-866-218-0101
Website: http://www.centering.org/

A site filled with grief resources and one of the largest selections of grief books.

Griefnet

Website: http://www.griefnet.org (or http://www.kidsaid.com for children)

Provides online support groups for adults, children, and teenagers.

Hospice Foundation of America

Tel: 1-202-457-5811
Website: http://www.hospicefoundation.org
Email: hfaoffice@hospicefoundation.org

Provides education and support to those who are grieving. Visit “Grief” on their website.

Legacy Connect

Website: http://www.connect.legacy.com

A partner site to the obituary site, www.legacy.com, offering grief support, an online sharing community, and words of inspiration.

The Open to Hope Foundation

Website: http://www.opentohope.com

An online forum to support people who have experienced loss, help them cope with their pain, heal their grief, and invest in their future.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Tel: 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
Website: http://www.taps.org
Email: info@taps.org

The 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or circumstance of the death. TAPS provides ongoing emotional help, hope, and healing by providing peer-based support, crisis care, casualty casework assistance, and grief and trauma resources. TAPS also holds Regional survivor seminars, a National Survivor Seminar and a National Suicide Survivor Seminar. They have online chat, support groups, and care groups around the country.

Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC)

Website: http://www.adec.org

Has a searchable database of thanatologists (counselors who are trained to work with the dying and bereaved). Search under “For the Public” and click on “Find a Specialist.”

Give-an-Hour

Website: http://www.giveanhour.org
Email: info@giveanhour.org

A free mental health service that provides mental health counseling to military personnel and their families. Services are free and they include mental health care and grief counseling.

Military OneSource

Tel: 1-800-342-9647
Website: http://www.militaryonesource.com

Immediate Help 24/7. Military OneSource is a free service provided by the Department of Defense to service members and their families to help with a broad range of concerns that include relationships, stress, and grief. Services are available 24 hours a day – by telephone with professionally-trained consultants and online.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Tel: 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
Website: http://www.taps.org
Email: info@taps.org

The 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or circumstance of the death. TAPS provides ongoing emotional help, hope, and healing by providing peer-based support, crisis care, casualty casework assistance, and grief and trauma resources. TAPS also holds Regional survivor seminars, a National Survivor Seminar and a National Suicide Survivor Seminar. They have online chat, support groups, and care groups around the country.

TRICARE

Website: http://www.tricare.mil

The health care program serving Uniformed Service members, retirees and their families worldwide. This program can be accessed for DEPENDENTS (Spouses/Children) of a deceased service member as long as they are enrolled in Tricare and use it as their primary health insurance. Mental health counseling is a COVERED benefit for DEPENDENTS and the first few visits do not require preauthorization. Here are the Mental Health Contacts for the three main Tricare Regions:

North Region
1-877-874-2273

South Region
1-800-700-8646

West Region
1-888-874-9378

Veterans Affairs Survivor and Casualty Assistance

Website: https://benefits.va.gov/TRANSITION/docs/mlc-survivor-casualty-assistance.pdf

Military Families United

Website: http://www.militaryfamiliesunited.org

A national coalition of Gold Star and Blue Star families, veterans, and patriotic Americans whose mission is to honor the fallen, support those who fight, and serve their families. This nonprofit provides charitable programs that offer families direct support through a portfolio of unique services, events, and advocacy programs.

National Military Family Association

Website: http://www.nmfa.org

Information, resources, scholarships, and programs for military service members, spouses, and children.

Navy Gold Star Program

Website: https://www.navygoldstar.com

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Tel: 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
Website: http://www.taps.org
Email: info@taps.org

The 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or circumstance of the death. TAPS provides ongoing emotional help, hope, and healing by providing peer-based support, crisis care, casualty casework assistance, and grief and trauma resources. TAPS also holds Regional survivor seminars, a National Survivor Seminar and a National Suicide Survivor Seminar. They have online chat, support groups, and care groups around the country.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

Website: http://www.goldstarmoms.com

An organization of mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of our country. American Gold Star Mothers continue to honor their sons and daughters through service to veterans and patriotic events.

Bereaved Parents of the USA

Tel: 708-748-7866
Website: http://www.bereavedparentsusa.org

The purpose of this peer-based organization is to offer support, understanding, encouragement and hope to other bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents after the death of their child(ren), brother, sister or grandchildren.

The Compassionate Friends (TCF)

Tel: 877-969-0010
Website: http://www.compassionatefriends.org

Assists families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and provide information to help others be supportive. Support groups are listed by local chapters on the website.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Tel: 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
Website: http://www.taps.org
Email: info@taps.org

The 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or circumstance of the death. TAPS provides ongoing emotional help, hope, and healing by providing peer-based support, crisis care, casualty casework assistance, and grief and trauma resources. TAPS also holds Regional survivor seminars, a National Survivor Seminar and a National Suicide Survivor Seminar. They have online chat, support groups, and care groups around the country.

The Dougy Center

Tel: 866-7755-5683
Website: http://www.dougy.org

Information on grieving children, teens, and their families. The website offers a search option for children and teen support groups.

Military Child Education Coalition

Website: http://www.militarychild.org

A nonprofit that performs research, develops resources, conducts professional institutes and conferences, and develops and publishes resources for all constituencies. The work of the Military Child Education Coalition is focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition.

National Alliance for Grieving Children

Tel: 866-432-1542
Website: http://www.childrengrieve.org

Promotes awareness of the needs of children and teens grieving a death. It also provides education and resources for anyone who wants to support these children and teens. NAGC has a list of state-by-state support programs.

Snowball Express

Website: http://www.snowballexpress.org

Serves children of fallen military heroes through events and a support system.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Tel: 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
Website: http://www.taps.org
Email: info@taps.org

The 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or circumstance of the death. TAPS provides ongoing emotional help, hope, and healing by providing peer-based support, crisis care, casualty casework assistance, and grief and trauma resources. TAPS also holds Regional survivor seminars, a National Survivor Seminar and a National Suicide Survivor Seminar. They have online chat, support groups, and care groups around the country.

Traumatic Grief in Military Children

Website: http://nctsn.org/trauma-types/traumatic-grief/traumatic-grief-military-children

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network was established to improve access to care, treatment, and services for traumatized children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events.

When Families Grieve: Talk, Listen and Connect

Website: http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/toolkits/grief

Presents families' personal stories about coping with the death of a parent, as well as strategies that have helped these families move forward.

American Widow Project

Tel: 877-297-9436
Website: http://www.americanwidowproject.org

A nonprofit organization dedicated to the new generation of those who have lost the heroes of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, with an emphasis on healing through sharing stories, tears, and laughter.

Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.

Website: http://www.goldstarwives.org

A nonprofit national military widows service organization chartered by the United States Congress. Provides member support, community, volunteer, legislative, and informational services.

National Widower’s Organization

Website: http://www.nationalwidowers.org

Educates the public and provides support for men who have lost their spouse or life partner.

Society of Military Widows

Website: http://www.militarywidows.org

A nonprofit organization dedicated to serve the interests of women whose husbands died while on active military duty, of a service-connected illness, or during disability or regular retirement from the armed forces. Gives moral support, advice, referral service and, in general, help the widows of career military members to return to the main stream of normal living.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Tel: 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
Website: http://www.taps.org
Email: info@taps.org

The 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or circumstance of the death. TAPS provides ongoing emotional help, hope, and healing by providing peer-based support, crisis care, casualty casework assistance, and grief and trauma resources. TAPS also holds Regional survivor seminars, a National Survivor Seminar and a National Suicide Survivor Seminar. They have online chat, support groups, and care groups around the country.

WidowNet

Website: http://www.widownet.org

An online information and self-help resource for widows and widowers.

American Association of Suicidology (AAS)

Tel: 202-237-2280
Website: http://www.suicidology.org

A nonprofit organization for all those involved in suicide prevention and intervention, or those touched by suicide. They provide a support group directory by state and other resources.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

Tel: 888-333-2377
Website: http://www.afsp.org
Email: inquiry@afsp.org

A national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide. They have a section dedicated on their website for surviving suicide loss which provides information and a state-by-state support group directory.

Mission 22

Website: http://www.mission22.com

A collaboration between Elder Heart, a veteran nonprofit organization, and a global advertising agency with a mission to raise awareness, enlist support, and end veteran suicide in America.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Tel: 800-273-8255
Website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)

Website: http://www.save.org

Aims to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, eliminate stigma and serve as a resource to those bereaved by suicide.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Tel: 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
Website: http://www.taps.org
Email: info@taps.org

The 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or circumstance of the death. TAPS provides ongoing emotional help, hope, and healing by providing peer-based support, crisis care, casualty casework assistance, and grief and trauma resources. TAPS also holds Regional survivor seminars, a National Survivor Seminar and a National Suicide Survivor Seminar. They have online chat, support groups, and care groups around the country.

The American Legion

Website: http://www.legion.org

A nonprofit veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to fellow servicemembers and veterans.

Heroes Notes

Website: http://heroesnotes.org

A nonprofit organization committed to honoring and memorializing fallen U.S. military service members, fire fighters, police officers, first responders and victims of terror by sharing their stories and supporting the loved ones they left behind.

Hope for the Warriors

Website: http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org

Provides comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, and military families that are focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement, and connections to community resource.

Travis Manion Foundation

Website: http://www.travismanion.com

Engages with veterans and families of the fallen in all stages of their personal journeys and offers them unique opportunities to empower them to achieve their goals.

USO

Website: http://www.uso.org

The nation’s leading organization to serve the men and women in the U.S. military, and their families, throughout their time in uniform.

Mesothelioma Fund

Website: http://mesotheliomafund.com

Organization to help mesothelioma victims obtain compensation from money that has been set aside by companies in asbestos trust funds. Offers free resources and services for mesothelioma patients and their family members.

Mesothelioma Prognosis Network

Website: http://mesotheliomaprognosis.com

Dedicated to providing free information and resources to those affected by mesothelioma cancer.