Grief/Loss

What is grief? Grief is a complicated and normal response to loss. We quickly associate grief with death, but grief is also a normal response to a divorce, a move, the loss of a friendship, and any significant life change or loss.

There is not a "right" way to grieve and there is not a "normal" amount of time that a person feels grief. Grief can involve many experiences, including shock/denial, sadness, guilt, anger, fear, and physical symptoms like changes in appetite or sleeping patterns, a preoccupation with thoughts related to the loss, and other deviations from "normal." Remember, these deviations are normal. People who are grieving need the support of friends and family. Many also need the support of a mental health professional.

If you notice that the grieving symptoms to not improve over time, or worsen, you are encouraged to seek the help of a professional. The staff of your school counseling department can help you locate a counselor in your area.

Here are some resources that may be helpful in understanding and responding to grief:

Children and Grief

The Warm Place, A Grief Support Center for Children

This website includes important information about grief, particularly in children, about direct services provided by this organization, and about additional resources available. The excellent and comprehensive bibliography on this site includes picture books for children, as well as books for adults, who are coping with the death of a loved one, including pets, grandparents, siblings and parents.

National Alliance for Grieving Children

This website offers resources and activities for parents and professionals who are caring for a grieving child/adolescent.

Centering

This website offers books and other resources available at a cost. Resources available include books written for children who are experiencing grief, as well as books written for parents.

Camp Erin