Gourt > Health > Mental Health > Grief, Loss and Bereavement > Children's Grief
Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, it also has a physical, cognitive, behavioural, social and philosophical dimensions. Common to human experience is the death of a loved one, be they friend, family, or other. While the terms are often used interchangeably, bereavement often refers to the state of loss, and grief to the reaction to loss. Losses can range from loss of employment, pets, status, a sense of safety, order, possessions, to the loss of the people nearest to us. Our response to loss is varied and researchers have moved away from conventional views of grief (that is, that people move through an orderly and predictable series of responses to loss) to one that considers the wide variety of responses that are influenced by personality, family, culture, and spiritual and religious beliefs and practices.
Bereavement, while a normal part of life for us all, carries high risk factors when no support is available. Severe reactions to loss may carry over into familial relations and cause trauma for children and spouses: there is an increased risk of marital breakup following the death of a child, for example. Many forms of what we term 'mental illness' have loss as their root and aetiology, but covered by many years and circumstances this often goes unnoticed. Issues of personal faith and beliefs also come under severe attack as persons reassess personal definitions in the face of great pain. Probably the best resource to avoid problems are early intervention and caring support, and understanding of the experience. Often non-professionals are just as or more effective in this role than professionals.
Stage theories and processes
Some researchers such as Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and others have posited sequential stages including denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. As research progressed over the past 40 years, many who worked with the bereaved found stage models too simplistic and instead began to look at processes, dynamics, and experiences common to all. John Bowlby, a noted psychologist, outlined the ebb and flow of processes such as Shock and Numbness, Yearning and Searching, Disorganization and Despair, and Reorganization. Bowlby and Parkes both note psychophysiologic components of grief as well. Included in these processes are: More on [ Grief ]
Child and Adolescent :: Mental Health
Grief :: Emotional Health and Wellbeing
Amanda the Panda - Provides support to grieving children and their families. Includes a list of services, support groups, camp information and forms, volunteer opportunities and a support library. [Iowa]
Meta Description: [ Amanda the Panda provides support to grieving children and their families through a variety of services. Support is provided through weekend camps, support groups, home visits, fun days, school presentations, holiday cheer boxes, pen pal programs, Halloween and Christmas parties, birthday cards... ]
Barr-Harris Children's Grief Center - Serves children who have lost a sibling; lost a parent through death, divorce, or abandonment; or imminent death of a family member; affiliated with the Institute for Psychoanalysis in Chicago, Illinois, US.
Meta Description: [ Barr-Harris Children's Grief Center, Chicago, Illinois ]
Camp Amanda Minnesota - A camp in Minnesota dedicated to helping children deal with the loss of someone close to them.
Camp Courage - Abilene, Texas area camp for children, first grade through 12 grade, who are dealing with loss due to a death, divorce, or other painful transition. Includes photographs, schedule, and applications.
Meta Description: [ Hendrick Hospice Care ]
Camp Magik - A project for grieving children and their families located in Hampton, Georgia. Includes history and programs.
Canary Garden - A non-profit community-based organization in Provo, Utah, dedicated to providing a safe and caring environment for children and adolescents who are grieving the death of a family member.
Meta Description: [ Canary Garden is a non-profit foundation that provides assistance for youth grieving the loss of a parent or sibling. ]
Children's Grief and Loss Issues - Offering information, seminars, books, CDs and videos to help a child deal with grief issues.
Meta Description: [ Todays children face grief and loss issues we never dreamed of .... this site can help you learn to help them ]
Connie's Corner - Donating Gifts for Bereavement and Loss - The quilters at Connie's Corner are donating one photo memory quilt per month to a child who has suffered the loss of a parent.
For Young People - Interactive help and advice for children and young people suffering from bereavement.
Foundation for Grieving Children - Raises funds and provides grants to organizations which assist children and families after a loved one's death.
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Helping Children Deal With Grief - Detailed information discussing complicated grief stemming from traumatic death, AIDS, abuse, or violence. Workshops designed to melt the wall between a child and his or her grief for parents, educators, and therapists by Linda Goldman, teacher, counselor, author, certified grief therapist and educator.
I Miss My Dad - Grieving children post e-mail messages to their deceased parents for all to read.
Meta Description: [ i miss my dad father daddy pop grieve greive bereave loss bereavment breavement greiving grieving death sad passed away died dead death I love you ]
Kids Cope with Grief - Offers a Memory Kit as a resource for children to help them through the grieving process.
Meta Description: [ Kids Cope with Grief - a resource for children grieving the loss of a loved one and offering the Kids Cope With Grief Memory Kit. ]
Kidsaid - To kids, for kids, and by kids, for grief support and peer support. Monitored by adults, this site is an approved safe site.
Meta Description: [ KIDSAID is a site to kids, for kids, by kids for grief support and peer support. They can also share information about their pets and find hundred of links to online games. A venue for kids to express themselves through artwork, stories, and poetry. Kids can ask questions and get answers from ot... ]
Memories For Surviving Kids - Encourages the friends and family of the deceased to share their memories with surviving children.
Mommy's Light - Non-profit organization in the Delaware Valley dedicated to children who have lost their mothers. Serving southeastern PA, southern NJ or northern DE.
Meta Description: [ Mommy’s Light(tm) Lives on Fund is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to
bring joy to children by keeping alive traditions and simple pleasures they shared with their mother. The
holiday email campaign generates contributions and spreads the organization's mission to
users through t... ]
Penhaligon's Friends - Cornish activity programme providing information and support for children and families after the death of someone close to them. Explanation of the reaction and needs of children after a loss.
Rainbows Peer Support Group - Support group curriculum for children who have suffered significant loss in their lives, either through death, divorce, or other painful transitions. Features mission, history, newsletter, curricula, and contact information for local groups.
Meta Description: [ RAINBOWS is a support group curriculum for children who have suffered significant loss in their lives, either through death, divorce, or other painful transitions. There are elementary, adolescent and adult editions available, all designed to provide these participants with an opportunity to mee... ]
RD4U - Designed by young people for young people. RD4U means The Road for You. Offers the chance to share experiences, thoughts and feelings.
Meta Description: [ supporting young people after the death of someone close ]
Solace House - Center for grieving children and their families in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Provide support programs for children and adults, including peer support groups, individual and family counseling, and outreach services.
Meta Description: [ Solace House, a center for grieving children and their families, is a Kansas City-based non-profit organization that provides grief support programs in a safe and creative environment for children and adults. Our programs include peer support groups, individual and family counseling and outreach ... ]
The Alcove Center for Grieving Children and Families - Nonprofit bereavement center serving Atlantic County, New Jersey. Peer support groups for children ages 3-18 who have reently lost a loved one. Includes programs and events.
Meta Description: [ The Alcove Center For Grieving Children And Their Families is a non-profit bereavement center for children and their families who have lost a loved one ]
The Amelia Center - Provides supportive service for grieving children, parents, and their families.
The Center for Grieving Children, Teens, and Families - Provides grief support groups for children, teens and families from the Philadelphia region. Also provides grief support resources and training for professionals supporting bereaved families.
The Cove - Community based Connecticut non-profit grief support program for grieving children and families dealing with the death of an immediate family member. Includes resources, locations, and programs.
Meta Description: [ The Cove is a community based Connecticut non-profit grief support program for grieving children and families dealing with the death of an immediate family member. ]
The Dougy Center - Located in Portland, Oregon. Provides peer support groups for grieving children. Through the National Center for Grieving Children and Families also provides support and training locally, nationally and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children in grief. Includes programs, guide books, history, and contact information.
Meta Description: [ Through our National Center for Grieving Children and Families we provide support and training locally, nationally and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children in grief. ]
The Grief Center of Southwest Louisiana - The center was created as a safe place for children who are grieving a major loss in their life due to death.
Meta Description: [ Site for information on the grief center of southwest louisiana's mission programs and other like information ]
The Megan Bear Foundation - For grieving children; helping fatherless or motherless children and their families through summer camp programs, social interaction.
Meta Description: [ Fatherless Children Information Bereavment Statistics fatherless board questions answers Bereavment ]
The Mourning Star Center - Provides loving support in a safe place to grieving children, ages 3-19, and their adult caregivers. All services are provided free of charge. California.
The National Centre For Childhood Grief - Australian organisation providing support and counselling for bereaved children and their families; as well as education, training and publications for professionals working in this specialist area of grief counselling.
Meta Description: [ The National Centre for Childhood Grief (NCCG) provides support and counselling for bereaved children and their families; as well as education, training and publications for professionals working in this area of grief counselling. ]
The Sharing Place - Provides support groups and community outreach to grieving children, teens and their families in the Salt Lake City area.
Three Trees: A Center for Grieving Children - A non-profit, non-affiliated organization that focuses on serving children and their families as they grieve the loss of a loved one.
What Children Need When They Grieve - A 9/11 widow and mother provides guidance and support for those caring for grieving children. Links to other professional support organizations.
Meta Description: [ A 9/11 widow provides guidance and support to adults caring for grieving children. Includes information about Julia's book, What Children Need When They Grieve. Provides information on how others can help, answers to frequently asked questions and links to professional organizations and message... ]
Winston's Wish - Charity that offers support to young people who have experienced bereavement
Meta Description: [ Winston's Wish - Homepage ]
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