In all our lives, grief can cast a shadow, and for children, this feeling is no different. It’s fairly common for this topic to cause uncertainty and discomfort, but it’s a reality that many children and teens face. Children’s Grief Awareness Day is on Nov. 16, and it serves as a reminder of the unique challenges children and teens face when navigating loss. The numbers projected by the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model anticipate that 1 in 13 children throughout Colorado will experience the loss of a parent or sibling by age 18. This stark reality shows why support systems like HopeWest Kids are important for community health.
Within a classroom, at home, and everywhere in between, kids navigate a variety of emotions, seeking understanding and support. This is why HopeWest provides age-appropriate resources, open conversations, and personalized support, aiming to help children and families on their path to healing.
When kids are faced with the death of a loved one, their responses are as different as their unique personalities. Children require age-appropriate information to understand the concept of death, coupled with guidance to navigate the new emotions they experience. They may face challenges in concentration at school, shifts in friendships, feelings of loneliness, difficulty sleeping, appetite changes and changes in behavior.
Recognizing the signs of grief in kids is important for parents, caregivers and educators. It can be easy to assume that if we don’t see a child’s grief, it isn’t present. Yet, children’s sorrow may show in short spurts of emotion before they go back to seemingly “normal” activities. Changes, whether big or small, show their need for support. Engaging in open conversations,
allowing emotions to be felt, and offering outlets through art, music, and movement-based activities such as sports can serve as a great way to offer support. And, for those who require extra assistance, resources like physicians, school counselors, and the dedicated HopeWest Kids program are available to help.
HopeWest’s one-on-one counseling and school groups play unique roles in aiding kids in their journey through grief. Both services provide understanding and coping, but they do so through different approaches. While one-on-one counseling provides a personalized and focused experience, school groups offer a setting where shared experiences give a sense of belonging.
As Children’s Grief Awareness Day approaches, it calls for communities and individuals to recognize the impact a loss has on kids. Contrary to the idea of quickly moving on, children and teens often require more extensive and prolonged support than we might assume. To participate and show support, wear blue on Nov. 16 and create a “chat bubble” with words of support at Meeker Sweet Shop and Wendll’s during the first two weeks of November. These will be added to the Wall of Support in our post office windows on Nov. 16.
More resources and information about Children’s Grief Awareness Day can be found at www.childgriefday.com or by contacting HopeWest Meeker at 970-878-9383.
By HopeWest Meeker
Special to the Herald Times
