Grief and Loss
Grief is a process. It comes in waves. If you have lost a loved one and need someone to talk to contact your Counselling Team or check out some of the other online resources.
You're hurting. Someone that you love has died. It may seem that no one understands and that you are alone in this loss. It's really hard to ask for help when you're trying to be independent and stand on your own.
It may surprise you to learn that there are many teenagers in your community who are grieving a very personal loss just like you. We know that sharing the story with others can be comforting. Just knowing that you are not alone and that someone will listen without criticizing can help a lot.
Your feelings are so complicated. You're mad, sad, sometimes you might even be glad. You may be a little afraid of what happened, wondering who's next or if it could happen to you. One thing for sure, you feel kind of different from your friends and family. You can tell that people aren't sure what to say around you and no one seems to want to talk about the death with you, even though you really want to.
And, you never know when it will hit. You can be walking down the street and a memory comes up and, before you know what happened, the tears are running down your face. It's kind of embarrassing.
Here, you will find out about other teens who are coping with the death of someone they love. See what other teens facing grief have to say about going to a teen group for grief support and resources and how it helped them. The most important thing to do while coping with a death, as you'll see, is to talk about your loss and your grief to someone. Grieving is telling the story. Healing is grieving.
Things you can do
You're hurting. Someone that you love has died. It may seem that no one understands and that you are alone in this loss. It's really hard to ask for help when you're trying to be independent and stand on your own.
It may surprise you to learn that there are many teenagers in your community who are grieving a very personal loss just like you. We know that sharing the story with others can be comforting. Just knowing that you are not alone and that someone will listen without criticizing can help a lot.
Your feelings are so complicated. You're mad, sad, sometimes you might even be glad. You may be a little afraid of what happened, wondering who's next or if it could happen to you. One thing for sure, you feel kind of different from your friends and family. You can tell that people aren't sure what to say around you and no one seems to want to talk about the death with you, even though you really want to.
And, you never know when it will hit. You can be walking down the street and a memory comes up and, before you know what happened, the tears are running down your face. It's kind of embarrassing.
Here, you will find out about other teens who are coping with the death of someone they love. See what other teens facing grief have to say about going to a teen group for grief support and resources and how it helped them. The most important thing to do while coping with a death, as you'll see, is to talk about your loss and your grief to someone. Grieving is telling the story. Healing is grieving.
Things you can do
- Make photo collages of the person who died. Bring them out anytime or on special days and share wonderful stories together.
- Plant a tree or create a memorial garden in your yard.
- On special days such as birthdays, day of the death, holidays or other important days, light a special candle and keep it lit all day.
- Sponsor an award or scholarship at the loved one's school, church or club.
- Create a special decoration for the Christmas tree or other special events for your family and give it a place of honour.
- Use the rituals of your faith community that acknowledge your grief journey.
- Have a totally fun day on the birthday of the person who died. The whole family can take time off work and school and just spend the whole day and evening together doing all the fun things they can think of in memory of your loved one. Volunteer your time, experience and knowledge with other families at your local hospice organization, community agency or hospital.
Websites for Youth
Teens and Death: http://www.teensanddeath.com/index.html
Winston's Wish: http://www.winstonswish.org.uk/foryoungpeople/
RD4U: http://www.rd4u.org.uk/
Hello Grief: http://say.hellogrief.org/login
YouthSpace: http://youthspace.ca/
Grief Encounter: http://www.griefencounter.org.uk/
Winston's Wish: http://www.winstonswish.org.uk/foryoungpeople/
RD4U: http://www.rd4u.org.uk/
Hello Grief: http://say.hellogrief.org/login
YouthSpace: http://youthspace.ca/
Grief Encounter: http://www.griefencounter.org.uk/