Hey Faithers! Happy Monday!! Welcome to Episode 127! We are in our Grief, Healing & Holiday Series! Today let’s discuss a day I have been enbracing for a couple years now, Children's Grief Awareness Day.
Ice Breaker: Comfort Cards Meditations for Loss by CuddleBuddys:
Card 1: Grieving is a highly individual experience.
Card 2: Make time dailt to grieve.
Topic: National Children’s Grief Awareness:
Happy Monday! Welcome to episode 127!
We are jumping into one of my facorite topics which is grief, but then we had on children’s grief!
Nationals Children’s Grief Awareneness was Created in 2008 by the Highmark Caring Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, and since recognized by organizations around the world, Children's Grief Awareness Day is observed every year on the third Thursday in November (the Thursday before the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving). This time of year is a particularly appropriate time to support grieving children because the holiday season is often an especially difficult time after a death. (https://www.childrensgriefawarenessday.com/)
Why is National Children’s Grief Awareness important?
Just like grief in general, we need awareness. For Children it is important for adults and society to understand grief so that we can collectevely come together to show support and understanding to our youth. I spoke on last week’s episode about how I purposely focused on adults who are grieving because if we want the kids to be safe then the adults also need the resource.
Let’s look at some stastics:
Before they graduate from high school, one child out of every 20 children will have a parent die—and that number doesn't include those who experience the death of a brother or sister, a close grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or friend. (https://www.childrensgriefawarenessday.com/)
Stats by: https://experiencecamps.org/childhood-grief-facts-and-statistics
Approximately 6.3 million U.S. children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the time they are 18.
1/12 U.S. children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18
In 2022, 1,089 kids in the U.S. were newly bereaved each day.
The need to talk about grief
54% of people struggle to find grief resources.
57% of those who lost a parent during childhood report that support from family and friends waned within 3 months, although it took an average of six years to move forward.
Over 1.2 million people in the United States died from COVID-19.
Childhood grief is associated with: developmental disruptions, including relationship, academic, and career functioning; substance abuse; mental health challenges, including depression and suicide; and poverty.
A report by New York Life Foundation and American Federation of Teachers found that students who have lost a parent or guardian typically exhibit.
National Grief Awareness Day, observed annually on August 30th, is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the grieving process, offering support to those who are grieving, and educating others on how to help those in mourning.
All in all, It is important we know and understand grief! We all need support. It takes a lot to overcome Grief. There are things we can do to support people who are grieving and educate people who do not yet undertsand grief.
Affirmation: I know that I am not the only one in the world who is experiencing grief and at least in that I know I am not alone.
**Please remember that the information provided is not a substitute for services provided by a mental health professional. In an emergency, please call 911. You can also call 988 for mental health support and resources. In a non-emergency, you can go to healingshegotfaith.org/resources for additional resources.**
