Children’s Understanding
- Adolescents may view death more like an adult
- My have a better understanding of the scientific facts of death
- Understand death as something that happens to everyone
- Know the difference between reality and fantasy
- Have a stronger sense of right and wrong
- May want to talk about spirituality
- Their beliefs may be influenced by friends or others
Common Grief Reactions & Behaviors
- May feel sadness, guilt, anger, regret
- May not want or be able to ask for help
- May try risk taking behaviors (for example, taking drugs, abusing alcohol, having increased sexual behavior)
- May experience depression
- May separate themselves from friends and family
- May act as though nothing has happened
- My have changes in school performance (for example, having trouble concentrating, getting along with others, learning problems, etc.)
How You Can Help
- Encourage your adolescent to talk openly about their fears and concerns
- Be available to provide emotional support and reassurance
- Suggest talking to a friend and/or trained professional for example, Child Life specialist, clergy, school counselor, social worker, doctor, or therapist
- Inform your child’s school of a death so that their school can provide extra support
- Involve your adolescent in making decisions regarding family matters (such as, funeral planning, selecting personal items, planning for the future, etc.)
- Be aware of how much your adolescent can handle
- Offer choices in participation and planning the funeral
- Provide comforting physical contact
- Provide supportive resources, like books, journals, and music
- Encourage expression of feelings through writing, drawing, creating memory boxes or scrapbooks, etc.
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