Most cries of pain from teenagers are silent, and too often we only discover the true depth of their pain after suicide or other self-destructive behavior. In Stepping Up, teens speak openly about their struggles with suicide, depression, sex, drug addiction, pregnancy, abuse, bullying, and self-destructive behavior through their personal letters to author Donalyn Powell, a long-time youth and suicide-prevention advocate. To each letter, Powell offers personal and practical hope: even in the darkest situations, the pain will not last, and we are never alone. God has a purpose for each of us that we alone can fulfill, and it is God's life in us that provides our reason for living, healing for our lives, and hope for the future.

Let's Be Real exposes the depths of honest grief as a 22-year-old girl says goodbye to her father after holding his hand as her family sang him happy birthday. At only 22, Emily Katherine Dalton never imagined her story would take such a turn, losing every sense of family and home she had ever known. The secure faith she had formed felt shattered. In Let's Be Real, she shares her honest, gritty journey of fighting to believe all she had ever known until her world turned upside down. Fighting to name the depths of new emotions and questions she had never before held, wrestling to somehow let the people around her into the chaos, and relentlessly trying to run toward a God she had to learn to relate to all over again after facing the greatest trauma she had ever known. Let's Be Real offers readers insight into processing emotional trauma and what authentic friendship really looks like as Emily Katherine relates and reframes stories that taught her the greatest lessons about the faith that follows trauma, grief, and loss-a faith that has to be real.

Resetting shares the story of a personal grief journey and helps transform today's understanding of the human condition. Although grief and loss are universal human conditions around since the beginning of time, the idea of loss is still greatly feared, ignored, distained, undiscussed, and certainly not prepared for. It is no wonder people feel alone and isolated in their feelings and thoughts when loss comes to them. Longtime nurse, Susan Beth Hassmiller, who is no stranger to death, has experienced the journeys of suffering and death in her patients as well as her personal life in which she was completely blindsided by the physical, spiritual, and emotional toll. Resetting is written in a daily diary format in which Susan opens a very private window to the actual feelings and thoughts she experienced in the grief process. Resetting is raw and gripping as it illustrates a new level of understanding of the human condition. Susan helps those who have suffered loss gain a new perception and a greater sense of grief while learning lessons on how to help those suffering from grief-from words to say to tasks to take on.

`This book makes a significant contribution to the literature. The author is to be commended for the huge amount of work he has put into this volume which deserves to be widely used' - Professor Bernard Moss, Staffordshire University All social workers encounter complex and diverse forms of loss throughout their practice. Working with Loss, Death and Bereavement helps trainee and practitioners navigate these difficult situations by developing the skills and values necessary for effective and empowering practice. Each chapter is grounded in social work theory and is illustrated by practice scenarios, exercises, suggestions for further study, and contemporary cultural examples from novels and films. The book explores: * definitions and assessment of loss * psychological aspects of loss and grief * skills, methods and theories working with the individual * families, support groups and communities * avenues of support for social workers * key themes of anti-discriminatory practice, evidence based practice and ethical awareness. This invaluable skills-based book meets the training requirements for social workers and will be essential reading for students or practitioners wishing to reflect on and develop their own practice in working with loss, death and bereavement. Jeremy Weinstein worked as a social worker prior to teaching at London South Bank University, where he is now a Visiting Fellow. Jeremy is an accredited trainer and gestalt psychotherapist with a small private practice offering therapy, supervision and consultation.

On the day her first book came out-a new translation of Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross-Mirabai Starr's daughter, Jenny, was killed in a car accident. "My spiritual life began the day my daughter died," writes Mirabai. Even with decades of spiritual practice and a deep immersion in the greatest mystical texts, she found herself utterly unprepared for "my most powerful catalyst for transformation, my fiercest and most compassionate teacher." With Caravan of No Despair, Mirabai shares an irreverent, uplifting, and intimate memoir of her extraordinary life journey. Through the many twists and turns of her life-including a tangled relationship with a charlatan-guru, her unexpected connection with the great Christian mystics, and the loss of her daughter-Mirabai finds the courage to remain open and defenseless before the mystery of the divine. "Tragedy and trauma are not guarantees for a transformational spiritual experience," writes Mirabai Starr, "but they are opportunities. They are invitations to sit in the fire and allow it to transfigure us."

Amanda Kloots bravely reflects on love, loss, and life with her husband, Broadway star, and Tony Award nominee Nick Cordero, whose public battle with COVID-19 and tragic death made headlines around the world. In March 2020, Broadway star and Tony Award nominee Nick Cordero was hospitalized for what he and his wife, Amanda Kloots, believed to be a severe case of pneumonia. Entering the hospital, they had every reason to believe that Nick-a young father and otherwise healthy man-would return home. After an eventual diagnosis of COVID-19 that led to Nick's being placed on a ventilator, Amanda took to documenting their journey on social media, showing the dangers COVID-19 posed to everyone, regardless of age. Her updates quickly captivated millions, inspiring people around the globe to dance each day to Nick's song "Live Your Life" and offer positive thoughts and prayer. When he passed away after ninety-five grueling days in the ICU, the world grieved for Amanda, her infant son, Elvis, and the future COVID-19 had snatched away from them. Live Your Life is the story of Nick and Amanda's life together-of their beautiful relationship, of Nick's dramatic fight for survival, of those sudden tragic months that permanently changed her world and ours-and of their interrupted future as a family. From the confusing early days of his illness to searching for signs of hope in every update from the doctors to the healing sound of Elvis's laughter, Amanda details how she approached even the most devastating moments with the personal optimism and faith that have shaped her life. Written with her sister Anna Kloots, who was with her every step of this journey, Live Your Life explores how Amanda's willingness to accept help from an entire community of people-friends, family, and even total strangers-played a vital role in enduring this hardship. In the process, she offers a touching meditation on how even the worst times have silver linings that deepen our connections to the world around us and to the people who matter most. What emerges is an inspiring and unexpectedly uplifting message for life in the time of COVID, a vision of courage for anyone coping with overwhelming loss or the collective trauma of what the pandemic has taken from us. A poignant reflection on love, hope, motherhood, and the transformational power of music, Live Your Life is a love letter to Nick and a reminder that, sometimes, celebrating life today is the only path through tomorrow's darkness. Live Your Life includes 16 pages of color photos exclusive to the book.

Theresa Caputo, the star of TLC's Long Island Medium and New York Times bestselling author, provides a guide to overcoming grief, filled with inspiring lessons from Spirit and astonishing stories from the clients who have been empowered and healed by her spiritual readings. After more than a decade of being a practicing medium, Theresa Caputo shares the powerful lessons she has learned about grief, healing, and finding happiness in the wake of tragedy. In almost every reading she gives, Spirit insists that people begin to embrace their lives again. But not everyone knows where to start, and putting back together the pieces of a life marked by loss is never easy. Sometimes, you need spiritual guidance-and that's where Theresa comes in. With her energetic, positive, and encouraging tone, Theresa uses the lessons from Spirit to guide you through grief toward a place of solace and healing. Each lesson is grounded in her clients' experiences of losing loved ones, their encounters with Spirit during readings, and the ways in which they've been able to heal and grow. Each chapter is filled with activities to help you find your "new normal"-including journaling, individual and group exercises, meditations, and moments of reflection-based on the truths that Theresa has gathered from Spirit. Good Grief-"an excellent resource for those who wish to be in communication with deceased loved ones" (Library Journal)-will help you to feel stronger and more optimistic about what the future has in store for you.

Losing a loved one is painful and overwhelming. As a mother who has suffered with loss on many levels, Kathe Wunnenberg knows from firsthand experience that there are no easy answers for those who mourn. Her tender and comforting devotions will help you deal with your grief and find hope and strength in God. Grieving the Loss of a Loved One is a devotional for those who know the acute heartache that accompanies loss. Using Scripture verses from multiple translations, these thoughtful devotions will help you walk through the stages of grief, as well as offer specific encouragement for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions, when grief can be particularly painful. You will walk away from the short thematic devotions and feel validated and understood, and renewed hope in the God who promises to never leave you.

*** Sunday Times Bestseller *** 'Fascinating. A wise and compassionate book full of insight and understanding that would help anyone experiencing grief, or those surrounding them' Cathy Rentzenbrink 'A wonderfully important and transforming book - lucid, consoling and wise' William Boyd ____________________________________________________________________ Grief Works is a compassionate guide that will inform and engage anyone who is grieving, from the 'expected' death of a parent to the sudden unexpected death of a small child, and provide clear advice for those seeking to comfort the bereaved. Julia Samuel guides you gently through her eight practical pillars of strength - that include the power of saying 'no' to the structure and building of good new habits - to support you and help you to gradually rebuild your life in the face of grief: With personal real-life stories of loss, and brilliantly accessible and practical advice, Grief Works will be passed down through generations as the definitive guide for anyone who has lost a loved one, and will revolutionise the way we talk about life, loss and death.

In You're Going to Make It: 50 Morning and Evening Devotions to Unrush Your Mind, Uncomplicate Your Heart, and Experience Healing Today, New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst helps you incorporate a new rhythm for those days when life feels too hard. The daily practice of receiving and releasing-receiving God's encouragement, instruction, and truth to start your day and releasing to God all that's weighing you down at the end of each day-sets you on a path toward healing. With 50 days of morning and evening devotions and beautiful color photography of significant locations where Lysa has worked through her own healing, You're Going to Make It will help you stay connected to God and continue loving others even in the middle of discouraging, disappointing, or even devastating circumstances. Each devotion contains: a Bible verse to start your day a statement of truth to remember throughout your day space to write and release something back to God at the end of your day a prayer to receive before you go to sleep to better prepare for tomorrow Without these crucial components woven into the routine of our harder seasons, connecting with the Lord can very quickly begin to feel overwhelming and like just another item on our to-do lists. Lysa understands this struggle and wants to create a sacred space where women can bookend their days with God by simply showing up, soaking in truth, and being reminded they're not alone on their healing journey. In her gentle, unassuming way, Lysa walks you through the pages of You're Going to Make It, where you will: receive the biblical truth and encouragement you need when hurtful situations leave you worn out and unmotivated to spend time with God. escape the loneliness of trying to heal on your own with trusted wisdom from a Bible teacher and friend who understands your pain and wants to help you move forward. be reassured that though this difficult season is part of your story, it will not be your whole story. This difficult season doesn't have to be a time of numbing the pain or going through the motions. Let this devotional help you get intentional and know that, though this may be a hard time, it can also be a holy time.

How can children begin to understand death and cope with bereavement? And how can we, as adults, support and engage with children as they encounter this complex subject? Exploring how children and adolescents can engage with all aspects of death, dying and bereavement, this comprehensive guide looks at how children comprehend the death of a pet or someone close to them, their own dying, bereavement and grieving. It covers how you should discuss death with children, with a particular emphasis on the importance of listening to the child and adapting your approach based on their responses. The book offers guidance on how your own experiences of loss can provide you with models for your interactions with children on the subject of death.

When Edith was stillborn without warning, the authors were both stunned and confused. Where should they turn for help? Who would answer their burning questions? One in in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage; one in 200 in stillbirth. And yet, while the church offers resources to cope with suffering more generally, there is often an echoing silence when it comes to the trauma of baby loss. 'When we lost our daughter Edith, say the authors, 'it was painful indeed to find the lack of biblically rooted and pastorally sensitive resources.' Nothing really hit the mark, so, though tears, they wrote their own book. This little volume comes to you, or to someone close to you, with a massive hug. It is Jonny and Joanna's passion and prayer that you will be amazed by our great God as you connect with deep biblical truths, bringing healing to your heart, mind and soul.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Yoga Girl and "international force in the world of yoga" (Allure), a moving and inspirational memoir on how to cope with tragedy, adversity, and change through yoga. To love and let go, love and let go, love and let go...it's the single most important thing we can learn in this lifetime. "Rachel beautifully illustrates that loving fiercely and grieving deeply are often two halves of the same whole. Her story will break you down and lift you up." -Glennon Doyle, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Love Warrior and founder of Together Rising "Take the time to clear your mind and mellow out with Rachel Brathen's endearing and inspiring memoir of a misspent youth, rebirth on the mat, and epic adventures in the Costa Rican jungle. Along the way you'll find . . . yoga routines and healthy recipes." -Bustle "An international force in the world of yoga." -Allure While on her way to a yoga retreat in the Caribbean, Rachel Brathen collapsed in the airport and was rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. When she opened her eyes following the surgery, her boyfriend was at her bedside weeping and she immediately knew something terrible had happened. She soon discovered that at the same time as her collapse, her best friend was killed in a car crash. Over the next two years, which should have been the happiest time of her life with her engagement and growing career, Rachel experienced trial after trial. From the overwhelming loss of her best friend, to the illness and death of her grandmother, and a shocking suicide attempt by her mother, Rachel found herself in a deep depression. When she discovered she was pregnant, Rachel decided to use her pregnancy as a time to heal and an opportunity to be reborn herself. Now, in this evocative and remarkable memoir, Rachel shares the tools she used to cope with and overcome her depression. She invites you to share in her eye-opening epiphanies and realizations about life and death, love and fear, what it means to be a mother and a daughter, and the restorative power of yoga. Perfect for fans of Gabrielle Bernstein and Glennon Doyle, this unforgettable memoir will move and enlighten you. Praise for To Love and Let Go "Breathtakingly honest, Rachel beautifully illustrates that loving fiercely and grieving deeply are often two halves of the same whole. Her story will break you down and lift you up." -Glennon Doyle, author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller Love Warrior and founder of Together Rising Praise for Yoga Girl "Take the time to clear your mind and mellow out with Rachel Brathen's endearing and inspiring memoir of a misspent youth, rebirth on the mat, and epic adventures in the Costa Rican jungle. Along the way you'll find . . . yoga routines and healthy recipes." -Bustle "The book was like a perfect yoga class-it left me inspired, relaxed and at the same time gave me tons of ideas." -Elephant Journal "An international force in the world of yoga." -Allure

Now with 250K copies in print! Revised and Updated Edition. Anne affirms that Heaven truly is the home of your dreams: a home of lasting value that's fully paid for and filled with family, where you will be wanted and welcomed. Best of all, Heaven is a home you are invited to claim as your own. With over 40 percent new and revised content, Anne Graham Lotz has updated her classic book on Heaven for a whole new generation of readers, and also for herself. With her father, mother, and husband now gone, Lotz beautifully adds her own vulnerability and stories to the journey contained in Heaven: My Father's House. Jesus promised us, "In My Father's house are many rooms...I am going there to prepare a place for you." Amid the turbulence of today's world, we cling to the hope of a heavenly home where we will be welcomed into eternal peace and safety. Anne affirms that Heaven truly is the home of your dreams: a home of lasting value that's fully paid for and filled with family, where you will be wanted and welcomed. Best of all, Heaven is a home you are invited to claim as your own.

This practical resource provides everything you need to enable your school to provide the best possible support for pupils and staff who have suffered a loss or bereavement. The book includes a school 'audit' to allow full assessment and evaluation of your school's current bereavement provision, and a full set of photocopiable training exercises for in-school staff bereavement training. It considers the important and unique role the school can play in supporting bereaved pupils and staff, and provides valuable guidance on how to create a school bereavement policy. A unique and accessible resource that is applicable to all levels of schooling, the book will be a valuable addition to the shelves of pastoral care teams, school counsellors, head teachers and school management, other school staff, bereavement counsellors and trainers, as well as psychologists.

On September 18 2012, PC Nicola Hughes and her colleague PC Fiona Bone were shot dead by a psychopathic criminal called Dale Cregan who had lured the young officers to his doorstep by making a false 999 call. The crime shocked the whole of Britain. While Cregan serves life sentences for the murders with a recommendation that he should never be freed, Nicola's father Bryn, a former prison officer, constantly relives his memories of the day he lost his daughter. To try to deal with his grief and to create a force for good from an act of evil, he has set up a charity in her name which has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to help young people who have lost someone close through crime. The police and the people of Britain have united to help him. Now Bryn has told Nicola's story, from the joy of her birth through to the terrible circumstances of her death at the age of just 23, as well as the challenging aftermath.

'To support the bereaved, we need to get to grips with death.' Talking about death and grief has become something of a modern taboo. Most of us would rather avoid the subject altogether because it makes us feel anxious or awkward. When Annie Broadbent's mum died, one of the hardest parts of her experience was seeing her friends and extended family paralysed by their fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. Frustrated and saddened by her own experience, in this thoughtful book Annie presents sixteen stories which build a much needed bridge between the bereaved and the rest of us. Combined with expert advice, Speaking of Death is a collection of real life experiences of grief. The stories help you build your own relationship with death and provide support for supporters of the bereaved. If you've never known what to say to a grieving person, you will after this book. 'Annie offers a compassionate and caring approach to supporting someone through grief, developed through her own experience and the use of expert advice . . . this book will be a helpful tool for everyone' Shelley Gilbert, CEO of Grief Encounter 'Wonderfully moving, relevant and important' Kate Timperley, Maggie's This book was first published as We Need to Talk About Grief.

Just as grief is an experience that affects us physically, mentally, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually, yoga sustains and strengthens us in all of those same areas. This book demonstrates how the principles and practices of yoga can help relieve symptoms of grief allowing those who have experienced loss to move toward wholeness, peace, and feelings of connection with loved ones who have died. Exploring the six branches of yoga, the book shows how each branch can support us through grief in different ways whether it be the self-reflection of Jnana Yoga, the spiritual devotion of Bhakti Yoga, the meditation of Raja Yoga, or the physical postures of Hatha Yoga. We are shown how to begin and sustain a personal practice, both on and off the yoga mat, which helps us to cope with and move through grief on multiple levels. Expressive and experiential exercises are included to help explore each of the branches of yoga and find ways to put the tenets of each branch into real life practice.

Where is God in the suffering of a mentally ill person? What happens to the soul when the mind is ill? How are Christians to respond to mental illness? In this brave and compassionate book, theologian and priest Kathryn Greene-McCreight confronts these difficult questions raised by her own mental illness--bipolar disorder. With brutal honesty, she tackles often avoided topics such as suicide, mental hospitals, and electroconvulsive therapy. Greene-McCreight offers the reader everything from poignant and raw glimpses into the mind of a mentally ill person to practical and forthright advice for their friends, family, and clergy. The first edition has been recognized as one of the finest books on the subject. This thoroughly revised edition incorporates updated research and adds anecdotal and pastoral commentary. It also includes a new foreword by the current Archbishop of Canterbury and a new afterword by the author.