Whether the loss is a grandparent, a parent, a classmate or even a beloved family pet, the grieving process can be difficult and every child will grieve in their own way.

Parents, caregivers, and educators wondering how they can help will find many answers to their questions in the following guide, which has been assembled with advice from several experts in the area of child and adolescent grief. You will find tips broken down into a range of ages and experiences, and information about what to say, who should say it, what to look out for, and how to help.

• Better sleep
• Better immunity
• Higher self-esteem
• Decreased stress
• Lower blood pressure
• Less anxiety and depression
• Stronger relationships
• Higher levels of optimism
• Greater life satisfaction

Source: Cherry, MSEd, Kendra. "How to Practice Gratitude." verywellmind, 22 Jan. 2024, www.verywellmind.com/what-is-gratitude-5206817.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes can affect how healthy your body is. Untreated mental health issues can make diabetes worse. Likewise, problems with diabetes can make mental health issues worse. But fortunately if one gets better, the other tends to get better too.

• People with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes.
• Only 25% to 50% of people with diabetes who have depression get diagnosed and treated. But treatment—therapy, medicine, or both—is usually very effective. And without treatment, depression often gets worse, not better.
• People with diabetes are 20% more likely than those without diabetes to have anxiety. Managing a long-term condition like diabetes is a major source of anxiety for some.

Your health care team knows diabetes is challenging but may not understand how challenging. And you may not be used to talking about feeling sad or down. But if you're concerned about your mental health, let your doctor know right away. You're not alone—help is available!

Check out the CDC website for information and education on diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/site.html

Source: CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/living-with/mental-health.html

If you have a comment, suggestion, or think you are, or know, a good guest please reach out via email to dads@kypartnership.org.

National Dating Abuse Helpline

Offers confidential support for teens, young adults, and their loved ones seeking help, resources, or information related to healthy relationships and dating abuse in the US.

Visit: loveisrespect.org

Call: 1-866-331-9474 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224)

Text: “LOVEIS” to 22522.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline

Telephone: 800.656.HOPE (4673)

Online chat: online.rainn.org

Español: rainn.org/es

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Call or Text: 988

Chat: https://988lifeline.org/chat

Deaf and Hard of Hearing: for TTY users, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988

https://988.ky.gov/#in-ky

Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis

llama al 988 o envía un texto al 988, o chat via https://988lifeline.org/chat (en inglés) 

The Trevor Project (LGBTQ youth)

Call: 1-866-488-7386

Text: START to 678678

Visit TrevorChat: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/webchat

Veteran's Crisis Line

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

TTY: 1-800-799-4889

Website: www.veteranscrisisline.net

Connects veterans in crisis (and their families and friends) with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential, toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.

Substance Use Treatment Locator

Millions of Americans have a substance use disorder. Help is available. FindTreatment.gov.

Find Treatment in KY

Use this website to find facilities and providers who are actively taking new clients. https://findhelpnow.org/ky

Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746).

Website: www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator

Find alcohol, drug, or mental health treatment facilities and programs around the country at findtreatment.samhsa.gov.