Grief is heavy. Who is helping you carry it?
Gentle grief support straight to your phone, for as long as you need us.
Start getting texts
How it works:
Get ongoing, expert grief support straight to your phone.
1. Sign up for texts
It only takes 5 minutes to complete our sign up form. The more you're comfortable sharing, the better we'll be able to customize your text messages based on age, relationship, cause of death, and dates that are important to you (like a death anniversary or a holiday).
2. Add supporters
This step is optional, but research shows that receiving support from others helps grievers feel less alone after a death.
Using your customized email template or QR code, easily send invites to the people you'd like to support you. Once they accept, we'll text them gentle suggestions and tips about how to be there for you.
You focus on taking care of yourself; we'll take care of educating your friends and family.
3. Start getting texts
Once you're signed up, there's nothing else you need to do. You'll receive your first text within minutes. Sit back and let helpful, expert grief wisdom come to you.
Start getting textsGrieving people are getting easy, ongoing support from Help Texts
Jeremy Battershell, Director, Client Services, First Choice Health
Renee, 17-year old Help Texts subscriber
Jesse, Help Texts subscriber
John Mastrojohn III, President & CEO, Center for Hospice Care
Gardner Congdon, gift subscription purchaser
Ann Kaufman, Help Texts subscriber
Clinically sounds, tailored support, all year long
Explore examples of real messages we've sent
- Hi, James. Those plans you and Maria made for your future together - the trips not taken or the milestones not shared - it's natural to grieve these deeply. Some people find comfort in acknowledging these losses by writing them down, perhaps in a letter to Maria expressing what you’d hoped to experience together and perhaps what you can still do in her honor.
- Hi, Lori Ann. Grieving after a suicide is often intense and emotions like sadness, anger, shame, and guilt can feel more complex. In fact, some people say that grief from a suicide is "grief with the volume turned up." When your grief over son starts to feel too loud, try to pause what you're doing, take a few deep breaths, and see if you can change what you're doing or switch to a more relaxing activity for 10 minutes, until the grief volume feels manageable again.
- Hi, Matt. When you lose someone suddenly or in traumatic circumstances, your brain can get stuck between past and present. Consider this grounding exercise: when intrusive memories surface, name the differences between then and now. "Then I was at the hospital, now I'm in my living room. Then I was alone, now my dog is with me." This can help your nervous system recognize you're safe in the present moment.
- Hi, Naomi. Attachment develops as soon as we start to imagine a future with our child, and deepens as we feel their movements, plan for their arrival, and create a mental image of our family's future. Loss may feel as though it has also ended your attachment, but death ends a life, not a relationship. Your love for Erika can remain with you forever.
- Hi, Isabella. The endless appointments, difficult decisions, and uncertainty that came with your grandfather's dementia were probably exhausting. You might now feel both relief that your grandfather's suffering has ended and guilt for feeling that relief - this is normal. If feelings of guilt arise, try placing a hand on your chest, taking a deep breath, and reminding yourself: "I was the caregiver that my grandfather needed. I carried burdens no one should have to carry."
- Hi, Deepti. Questions about the circumstances of your nephew's death can feel invasive. The next time someone asks you for information, you can let them know you're not ready to share those details right now but you are open to telling them how you're doing. Shifting the focus from what happened to your well-being could help you both connect.
