Research shows that 1 in 12 children in Ohio will experience the death of a parent or sibling before they reach 19. That’s nearly ten thousand children in Lucas County alone.
While grief is a commonly shared experience, many adults do not understand how children process death or grieve. It is a commonly held belief that “kids are resilient; they’ll get over it.” Caretakers and others often assume that unless a child is acting out or exhibiting decidedly unhealthy behavior, the child is “over it” or not really affected by grief. However because childhood grief is often misunderstood, grief can remain an unresolved conflict well into adulthood.
The death of someone significant in a child’s life – whether a parent, sibling or other important person – can have a profound impact on normal childhood development with both devastating and long-lasting implications. Unaddressed childhood grief is linked to higher incidents of anxiety, depression, violence, truancy, school failure, substance abuse, unhealthy or detrimental life choices, even suicide.
Good Grief of Northwest Ohio is the only non-profit organization in this area that focuses on children’s peer-based grief support. This type of support has been proven to reduce the negative effects of ignored or unaddressed grief in children and teens by giving them a safe place to share their experiences with others. By intentionally creating a space where kids and teens can come to work through their grief in a nonjudgmental and completely supportive environment, Good Grief of Northwest Ohio provides a safe and caring place for children to grapple with and come to an understanding of thoughts, fears, questions, and emotions associated with grief and loss. It is our goal to help them find their way to a new reality of life – a livable life – after the death of someone they love.
We can’t take away the pain of losing a parent or sibling, but through fostering understanding and expression of their feelings of grief, we can help grieving kids develop awareness and specific coping skills that will serve them into adulthood.
Led by trained volunteer facilitators, Good Grief’s peer support groups provide a mix of opportunities for young people to share their experiences with grief and loss. Whether it’s talking about the death with other participants, using art or music to explore and express their feelings, or choosing their own activity from a variety of options, participants are encouraged to discover what works the best for them.
Adult caregivers are encouraged, but not required, to attend their own peer support groups offered during the children’s groups. Led by licensed counselors, these groups give adults a place to share and learn ways to help their children and themselves.
Ten Things Grieving Children Want You to Know:
- I want to know the truth.
- I need to know there will always be someone to take care of me.
- Understand that this is going to take a long time.
- Playing is my way of processing and understanding my world.
- Know that I will miss my person who died for the rest of my life.
- Sometimes I want to talk about my person and share my/our story with you. I’m not asking or expecting you to “fix” this, I just want you to listen.
- There is no right or wrong way to grieve and I may do things differently than other kids who are grieving.
- Sometimes I feel guilty or ashamed or embarrassed about how my person died.
- My feelings and thoughts are all jumbled together and sometimes I act angry, mad or scared when I’m feeling confused and sad.
- If you aren’t sure what I want or need, ask me.
Good Grief of NW Ohio
7018 Spring Meadows Drive West, Suite 201
Holland, OH 43528
419.360-4939