Children and young people respond in varying ways to loss, such as a bereavement. Nearly all will experience and express some level of distress. This can lead to changes in behaviour as they try to cope with their feelings.
These changes might include: separation anxiety (especially in young children), sleep disturbance, nightmares, deep sadness, loneliness, developing new fears, losing interest in normal activities, reduced concentration and achievement at school, anger, irritability and physical complaints.
Bereavement
When someone in the family or a close friend dies, it affects everyone and it is especially important to support children during such a difficult time. Children and young people can also feel bereaved and experience grief when someone close to them goes away permanently or is away for a long period of time.
The death of a much-loved pet can often be a child/young persons first experience of death and loss and can be equally distressing.
The death of a much-loved pet can often be a child/young persons first experience of death and loss and can be equally distressing.
Grief is a normal response to bereavement
Supporting your child through a bereavement
Whilst grief is a normal response to loss, it can be difficult to watch your child go through it and to know what to do or say for the best. This can be especially difficult if you yourself are also grieving.
There are lots of bereavement sites that can help guide and support you. You'll find some links to these at the bottom of the page.
There are lots of bereavement sites that can help guide and support you. You'll find some links to these at the bottom of the page.
How will I know if my child needs more professional help?
Grief has no set timescale, and it is normal to feel a whole range of emotions after a loss. Sometimes, however, a child or young person may feel they are struggling to cope over a much longer period of time. At this point it may be that some professional help is needed
A child/young person may need professional support if, over a prolonged period, they are:
A child/young person may need professional support if, over a prolonged period, they are:
- feeling depressed or anxious
- withdrawing from family, friends and activities
- struggling to sleep
- refusing to go to school
- turning to less healthy coping mechanisms such as self-harming
- talking regularly about wanting to join the person who has died
- experiencing suicidal thoughts
- acting like a much younger child
- not believing that the person has died
What help is available?
If you’re worried about your child’s mental health or wellbeing, you can speak to your GP, with or without your child present. You can discuss with your GPs whether a referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is needed.
Sources of advice and support
Please click on the image to access the resource
Please click on the link to access the resource
Local sources of support
There are a number of local services who can support both your child and you. Click on the links below to access their webpages.