About the Study

Grief Navigation Trial

Funding Period: March 2023–July 2028

Principal Investigators: Kelly Michelson, MD, MPH, and Stacy Tessler Lindau MD, MAPP

Approximately 60,000 people under the age of 25 years old die in the United States each year. Around 45 percent of those deaths occur unexpectedly or traumatically (from events such as homicide, suicide, or unintentional injury), leading to their designation as a medical examiner or coroner case. Parents and caregivers of these deceased children sometimes suffer debilitating mental health issues, such as complicated grief and depression. They may experience physical or family problems, and they often struggle to find support. The medical examiner or coroner is often the parent’s and family’s sole point of contact with the healthcare system. Scalable systems-level interventions are needed, starting at the medical examiner or coroner office, to connect bereaved parents to the supports they need.

Aims

  • Support bereaved parents of children under 25 years old in accessing resources within their community to help navigate the psychosocial and physical affects of grief.
  • Help medical examiner and coroners’ offices support bereaved families by testing strategies that could be easily and sustainably implemented within their offices.
  • Understand what strategies are most effective in helping families find support during these difficult times.

Additional Information

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