Healing Happens in Community

Healing Happens in Community:
Reflections from TAPS and Military Survivors

By: Jennifer Harlow

When military families lose a loved one, they often face more than grief alone. In addition to navigating a profound loss, many survivors are also confronted with important decisions about benefits, resources, and life after service. During these difficult times, having access to both compassionate support and trusted guidance can make a meaningful difference.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a TAPS Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp on behalf of Magellan Federal. Hosted by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), the event brought together military survivors, peer mentors, volunteers, and organizations dedicated to supporting families following the loss of a service member or veteran.

The Power of Connection

One of the most impactful parts of the event was witnessing the connections formed among survivors. Whether through formal programming or informal conversations, attendees had opportunities to share experiences, learn from one another, and find support from people who truly understood their journey.

Programs such as the Peer Mentor Program help survivors connect with others who have experienced a similar loss, providing encouragement and understanding rooted in lived experience. For children and teens, TAPS Youth Programs and Good Grief Camps offer age-appropriate opportunities to build coping skills, connect with peers, and honor the memories of their loved ones.

The event served as a powerful reminder that while every survivor’s experience is unique, no one should have to navigate loss alone.

Supporting Survivors Together

For more than 25 years, Magellan Federal has supported military survivors through benefits guidance and personalized assistance. Through the Online Survivor Benefits Report (OSBR) and the Family Assistance Support Team (FAST), we help survivors understand available benefits, access resources, and make informed decisions during some of life’s most challenging moments.

Attending the seminar also highlighted an important reality about survivor care: emotional wellbeing and practical stability are deeply connected. While grief support helps survivors process loss and build resilience, many families are simultaneously navigating complex benefits, financial considerations, and significant life transitions. Through conversations with survivors, peer mentors, volunteers, and support organizations, it became clear that effective support must address both dimensions of the survivor experience.

For military families, understanding available benefits and resources can feel overwhelming during a period of profound grief. This is where collaboration among organizations plays a critical role. TAPS provides a trusted community built on connection, mentorship, and healing, while Magellan Federal helps survivors understand available benefits and make informed decisions through personalized guidance and support. Together, these efforts reflect a whole-person approach that recognizes survivors need not only compassion, but also clear information, trusted resources, and practical assistance as they move forward.

Our collaboration with TAPS reflects a shared commitment to ensuring military families receive the support they deserve. The experience reinforced something we have learned through decades of serving survivors: caring for families after a loss means offering both compassion and practical support. By working together, we can help survivors access critical resources, build meaningful connections, and move forward with confidence and hope.