A Supportive Program for Grieving Students
Why We Care
Inner Harbor was born out of a dream to make sure no grieving teenager goes to college without being mentally prepared while getting the support they need to make a smooth transition into adulthood.
Unknown to many, as young adults begin college, a normal but often difficult transition, grief can resurface, creating a downward spiral of overwhelming feelings.
Our mission is to help provide genuine support and healthy tools and outlets to aid in understanding unfamiliar emotions, not burying them.
How We Help
Listen.
Grief is normal. Painful, but normal. We facilitate retreats for college students after they experience a significant loss, while first conquering the most difficult part of grief: being heard. We understand the genuine feeling of loneliness when a loss is experienced, and we want to allow you space to be heard.
Train.
We work with colleges and universities to train students and staff looking to better support their grieving peers. These trained supporters can include resident assistants, religious organizations, sororities and fraternities, academic advisors, peer leaders, coaches and more.
Educate.
Our programs encourage staff and students to make supportive connections with others on campus, learn about available resources and practice healthy coping tools. Participants will also learn valuable skills that can be used throughout the campus community to support other grievers in the future, seeding the community with healthy, emotionally available peers and mentors.
Services
The Stats
Nationwide, 5.2 million children will lose a parent or sibling by the time they are 18 years old. The number more than doubles (to 13.9 million) by the time they are 25 years old, meaning approximately 10 million college students will have lost a parent or sibling. This number does not account for the deaths of close relatives or friends that can also be a traumatic loss and result in the need for support. COVID-19 in and of itself has created significant feelings of loss for all college students; meaning that every single person on a college campus (or in their bedroom while remote learning) is living with significant feelings of grief. We can make space for these students.
5.6 Million Children
EXPERIENCE A DEATH BY AGE 18
All too often, though, children are abandoned when they turn eighteen. Not only do important services end, but they often leave home for the first time and have to navigate a new environment on their own.
13.9 Million Young Adults
EXPERIENCE A DEATH BY AGE 25
That means that approximately 10 million college students will have lost a parent or sibling. This number does not account for the deaths of close relatives or friends that can also be a traumatic loss and result in the need for support.
1,100 College Students
DIE BY SUICIDE EVERY YEAR
Making it the second-leading cause of death among college students. 65% of college students reported that they knew someone who has either attempted or died by suicide, showing that students on college campuses are likely to be exposed to suicide or suicidal attempts in some form.
The Mourning Meeting
What people are saying about our podcast.
“This podcast helps me feel less alone and gives me information to help my children cope with loss. I highly recommend it.”
— Danielle from Roslyn
“This was an excellent listen. I have two high school-aged children who have experienced loss and will soon be moving on to college. I’m happy I have something to help me prepare for their future changes.”
— iTunes Listener, TidePr
Our Story
Inspired by a young man who had experienced a significant loss as a teen, our mission was born. When that young man left for college, he did not have the same support that he had been able to access at home.
Unaware of the resources available to him and without a support system in his new environment, he used unhealthy coping tools to deal with the feelings he had when he got to college, factoring in to his suicide several days later. Our mission is to be that support system.
