Our Beliefs
You’re not alone.
As young adults prepare for college, a normal, but often difficult transition for many, feelings of grief can begin to unexpectedly surface in unfamiliar ways.
Long-time friends that were once eagerly available to lend a helping hand are no longer within arm’s reach as they disperse around the country, beginning their journey of independence.
Often unaware of available supports at their new college campus, students are at high risk to partake in unhealthy coping strategies. This can also lead to poor mental health outcomes, substance use, diminishing grades and school retention. With these levels of stress, feeling alone and like there’s no time to catch up, suicide can feel like the only answer.
These outcomes don’t have to be predetermined though.
If students and staff are educated and know how to be present to a friend, classmate or team member in the intensity of grief, students can not only survive these transitions, but they can thrive in them.
Inner Harbor was created with the idea that all students can do well given the right support.
I founded Inner Harbor after my son lost a dear friend. Too young. Too soon. I realized at that moment there was a historically overlooked need to better provide authentic, genuine support to grieving college students.
Sincerely,
Mandi Zucker, LSW, CT | Founder of Inner Harbor
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Mandi Zucker is the Founder and President of Inner Harbor. With over 20 years in the field of death, dying and bereavement, she is committed to making sure that all students go to college prepared to deal with the grief that comes with all kinds of losses, from moving away from home to previous deaths and the grief that evolves from losses experienced in college. Ms. Zucker is an experienced presenter, trainer and grief support group facilitator.
Ms. Zucker earned her BA in Child Development and Care from the University of Pittsburgh and her Masters degree in Social Work from New York University. She is a lead responder for the Traumatic Loss Coalition in New Jersey and serves on the Board of Trustees at Jewish Family Services of Central New Jersey. Ms. Zucker has also earned a certificate in thanatology, the study of death and dying, as well as a certificate in Grief Recovery.