Children's Grief Awareness Month 2024
During Children's Grief Awareness Month this November, we're shining a light on how grief impacts children and families, and what we can do to support them. You can help by sharing Dougy Center's Flip the Script posts to your social media, by exploring these events and activities, and learning more about the movement to #UnderstandGrief.
Flip the Script
It's difficult to know what's most helpful for children and teens who are grieving. And while most people want to be supportive, children and teens tell us that some common narratives and clichés are actually not helpful.
In the context of children's grief, the "Flip the Script" aims to spotlight and challenge those unhelpful things people often say to young people who are grieving. Through Children's Grief Awareness month, we're providing tools to replace these unhelpful words with more supportive, empathetic alternatives, encouraging better understanding and communication around grief.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO TO "FLIP THE SCRIPT"
Be Present: Your presence can be the comforting gesture that words sometimes cannot match. Let's show up with our undivided attention and care.
Listen Actively: Give young people who are grieving your full attention. Let them be themselves without interruptions. Demonstrate with your actions that you prioritize understanding their experience over quick responses.
Actions Speak Louder than Words: Let's ensure our actions match our words. Show up, follow through, and make a real difference.
Press Pause on the Advice: Avoid clichés and fixed ideas about grief and encourage responses and questions that allow young people to express what they truly feel, not what they think they should feel.
Get Moving: Grief is physical, not just emotional. Physical activities like walking or playing can be vital for young people to express and manage their grief. Physical engagement helps them not only to cope but also to connect with their feelings in a healthy way. Learn more
Cultivate a Supportive Environment for Sharing: Create environments where young people who are grieving feel safe to express their feelings without judgment. Ensure that both your words and actions communicate understanding and compassion.
Recognize the Uniqueness of Each Person’s Grief: Meaningful support begins with recognizing each young person's uniqueness and listening to their cues about how they would like to be supported. Avoid one-size-fits-all responses and offer support that aligns with their specific context, relationship, and personality.
Empower Their Voices: By empowering young people’s voices, we affirm their value and support them in their unique grief experience. Allow them to articulate their grief and share their personal experiences. Validate their feelings, experiences, and stories by providing a supportive listening environment.
News & Resources
Find hundreds of free resources for children, teens, caregivers and more here
Watch how Dougy Center supports children who are grieving here
Thank you to everyone who attended our Children's Grief Awareness Day Webinar, "Too Young to Grieve?" on November 21. We were thrilled to have nearly 700 participants representing 23 countries. Find more on upcoming webinars here
Let's Hear It For The Kids: Grief In Their Own Words
In honor of Children's Grief Awareness month, we asked kids and teens to talk about grief in their own words. The compilation in this Grief Out Loud episode includes clips from children and teens reflecting on their people who died, their varied responses to loss, and what they hope grief will feel like in future.
Thank you to all the children and teens who contributed to this episode, and to their parents and caregivers for facilitating the recording process.
Join the Movement to #UnderstandGrief
What does it mean to be Grief-Informed, and what can you do to better support people who are grieving?