Children grieve differently than adults do. Because children are less able to express their feelings, their pain may go unnoticed by family members and loved ones. When a teen experiences a loss, an additional burden is added to their already complex life. However, a child's unresolved grief can have profound effects. Later in life, unresolved grief can lead to difficulties with trust and problems with intimate relationships. Substance abuse and dependency problems can sometimes result from a person's inability to fully cope with an early loss experience.

Children and teens who come to the Center have lost a loved one through an accident, illness, homicide or suicide. Many children feel suddenly different from their friends and isolated by their loss. We want these children to meet other bereaved young people and learn that they are not alone. The core of our children's bereavement program is made up of several counselor facilitated peer groups. Through discussion, art projects, books and shared experiences, the sessions provide children with opportunities to express their feelings and begin the process of dealing with their loss.

Our primary goal is to meet the unique needs of each family who comes to us for services. We strive to help families learn to support each other throughout the grief process.

Children's Bereavement Services

• Tiny Tears (preschoolers)
• Children's Bereavement Group (ages 6-12)
• Teen Bereavement Group (see Adolescent Grief)
• Support groups for parents and caregivers
• Family counseling sessions

Community Outreach

• Bereavement services for children are provided to schools and community organizations.
• Postvention services are provided for newly bereaved children and families.
• Camp Chrysalis, a one-day Summer program filled with arts and crafts, outdoor activities, and singing.
• Holiday parties and seasonal activities for children and families
• Training and consultation for community agencies and organizations
• Group counseling for children
• Working with children who have experienced trauma
• How to talk to children about suicide

  SUGGESTIONS FOR HELPING CHILDREN THROUGH GRIEF
  Please click here for a list of ways you can help children deal with grief.

  Adolescent Grief
  The teen years are a particularly difficult and tumultuous time to experience the death of a parent, sibling, friend or other important person in their life. Experts agree that when an important person in a teen's life - especially a parent - suddenly dies, their response will often and naturally be strongly emotional and of intense anxiety; loss often threatens their sense of safety and security in the world. The stress and disruption of their everyday life from a loss may increase high-risk behaviors and impulsiveness that is already present in this stage of development. They may experience feelings of fear, isolation, abandonment, guilt, loss of control and overwhelming sadness. It is important for them to know these feelings are normal and for them to learn healthy ways to cope with their loss.

  The death of a significant person in their life increases the normal pressures teens feel from family, peers and school. The uncertainty that death brings may increase fears for the future; leading the teen to feel angry, resentful, scared and perhaps lonely and isolated. Avoidance in talking about the loss is common. It is very important for a grieving teen to have someone and somewhere to talk about his or her feelings and experience their grief. We often hear parents who are worried about their teen(s) express how difficult it is to convince the teen to attend a grief group or come for grief counseling. We suggest that a convincing argument may be to compare grief counseling to taking your child to the doctor when they are ill. If your child has a fever and seems to experience symptoms, most caring parents will take their child to the doctor to determine the nature and depth of their illness. We believe the outcome of a close, significant loss to death is determined by the help and support that a survivor receives. Grief counseling will usually bring the most healthy outcome after a teen has lost a loved one; especially after a sudden and traumatic loss. Remember too, that grief is a family process; it is more helpful for the entire family to be working towards healing from their loss. It is important to offer a safety net as a teen moves towards healing; it is difficult, if not impossible to make this journey alone.

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FOR IMMEDIATE HELP
call THE PHONE
24 Hour Crisis Line
(225) 924-3900
or (800) 437-0303
LSU - (225) 924-LSU1

TO GIVE OR GET HELP
DIAL 2-1-1
(225) 923-2114
or (877) 923-2114

Information & Referrals
7 days a week