Kids are like the rest of us. They don’t know how to grieve. What’s harder for a child is that they may be burying their feelings to protect you, or perhaps just are unable to express them. There are both healthy and unhealthy ways to grieve. Unhealthy grieving can have lasting effects, but not if you take steps to help. The first one is simple: Tell them, “It’s okay to grieve.”
Talking about your feelings is essential to any grief recovery; for kids, giving words to their grief is often difficult. Helping children through their experience of loss may require special expertise, resources and care. The Children’s and Teens’ Grief Support Program at Pikes Peak Hospice is designed to create an atmosphere that is emotionally safe; so kids can explore and express their feelings.
Children’s groups are available at no cost to children related to Pikes Peak Hospice patients, and, when space is available, to kids throughout the community for a fee. Additional sessions are available on a fee-per-session basis. Parents can also consult with a counselor about how to best support children through the experience of loss. We offer helpful handouts with information and tips for supporting children, and can provide referrals when needed. Grief Counselors and trained volunteers work with children ages 3 to 18 in age-appropriate small groups.
To learn more, call 719.633.3400, option #5. You can also reach us by email at BereavementTeam@pikespeakhospice.org.