Support for Parents After Pregnancy or Infant Loss
Official title: Walk with Me (WWM) for Perinatal Grief
Funded at Oregon Res Behavioral Intervention Strat · NIH-11196769 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project creates a web-based tool to help parents cope with the emotional challenges and grief after losing a pregnancy or infant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Res Behavioral Intervention Strat NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Springfield, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 15, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,143,460 |
| NIH project number | 5R44MH126788-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11196769 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are parents who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss and are seeking accessible, evidence-based support for their grief and emotional well-being.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing perinatal grief or who prefer in-person, traditional therapy may not find this web-based application beneficial.
What this research studies
Losing a pregnancy or infant can be incredibly difficult, often leading to severe grief, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide for parents. Many parents find it hard to access specialized mental health support during this time, as resources are scarce and providers may lack specific training. This project develops "Along With Me," a web-based application designed to offer therapeutic content and support specifically for bereaved parents. It aims to provide accessible, evidence-based help to navigate the complex emotions associated with perinatal loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this tool could provide much-needed emotional support and coping strategies to parents experiencing the profound grief of pregnancy or infant loss, potentially reducing their risk of mental health complications.
How similar studies have gone: A previous phase of this project showed promising results, improving grief coping skills and reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Res Behavioral Intervention Strat
Springfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, David Randolph — Oregon Res Behavioral Intervention Strat
- Study coordinator: Smith, David Randolph
Related research
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Walk with Me for Perinatal Grief: an online support and training tool for families and clinicians
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Finding Meaning After Losing a Child to Cancer
This project offers a special type of grief support called Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy to parents who have lost a child to cancer, helping them cope with their profound loss.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.