- 1). Make an appointment with a trained therapist. If your husband experiences reactive depression, attend counseling sessions with him and, if necessary, encourage him to begin medication to "jump start" feeling better, according to PsychCentral.com.
- 2). Help your husband through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Be patient as your husband moves through each stage of grief and remind him that feeling sad, frightened or lonely is a normal reaction to the death of a parent.
- 3). Give your husband a shoulder to cry on as well as time and space to grieve privately. Make it clear that you are willing to change your schedule and priorities to meet the emotional needs of your husband.
- 4). Encourage your husband to be grateful for the time he and his mother shared rather than focus on her death. Invite family members over for a dinner in honor of your mother-in-law's life.
- 5). Join a bereavement support group in your area. Ask relatives to attend the meetings with you and your husband. Contact local hospitals, hospices and counseling centers for a list of support groups in your area.
- 6). Engage in spiritual activities together, such as praying or going to a religious center. Speak with a religious leader if your husband experiences a crisis of faith.
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