Grief and Children

The death of a significant person in a child’s life is one of the most traumatic events that can occur in childhood. Without the right conditions for healing, children and teens carry these emotional wounds into the rest of their lives. We know that children who have had a loved one die are at risk. They are more likely than other children to experience 7 severe symptoms:

• High levels of depression;
• An increase in health problems (difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, stomachaches, nausea, eating too little or eating too much);
• Poor school performance;
• More anxiety and fear;
• Lower self-esteem;
• A destructive belief that all events in life are beyond their control;
• Less optimism about succeeding later in life.

The Healing Place Can Heal These Broken Hearts

The Healing Place Grief support groups provide a safe haven for children to explore their overwhelming and often confusing feelings with others that understand because they are going through a grief process also. Becoming a member of an age appropriate grief support group allows children and teens a safe place to share with others and create friendships, which will lead to an increase in healthy behaviors instead of the harmful physical, emotional, and social effects that accompany untreated grief.

Our Work At The Healing Place

• During the 2011/2012 school year, we served over 200 children and families at evening support groups.
• The Healing Place provides grief support services at 8 school districts in the tri- county area and served over 200 children during the 2011/2012 year.
• In April 2012, over 50 campers and 60 community volunteers participated in the Healing Hearts Day Camp for children who have experienced the death of a loved one.

A Story of a Healing Heart

“The Healing Place is a place where I just felt at home. For the first time since my dad died, I felt like the other people understood. I left the group meetings feeling empowered and like I belonged instead of sad or depressed. After moving out of town to attend college, I still return home from time to time to attend group because there are days when I still need to belong.”