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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

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Healing Conversations gives those who have lost someone to suicide the opportunity to talk with our experienced volunteers. These AFSP volunteers, who are themselves survivors of suicide loss, offer understanding and guidance in the weeks and months following a suicide death.

Available in person, on the phone or by video chat, our volunteers are familiar with the isolation that so often accompanies a death of this kind, and are able to show suicide loss survivors a way forward into a world of support, by creating an opportunity for the newly bereaved to speak openly with, and ask questions of, someone who has been there, too, and truly gets it.

When someone contacts us to request a conversation, we will ask them some questions about their loss, so that we may match them with a suitable volunteer who has experienced a similar loss. Their peer support volunteer will contact them to schedule a conversation at a convenient time and, in the case of in-person visits, at a comfortable location of the person's choice.

Submit the short online form below to request a meeting in person, by phone or by video call.

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Healing Conversations: Personal Support for Survivors of Suicide Loss

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Healing Conversations gives survivors of suicide loss the opportunity to speak with volunteers, who are themselves loss survivors.

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AID-NJEA can help - New Jersey Education Association

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The AID-NJEA helpline has served NJEA members and their families for nearly 20 years. NJEA members and their families have access to this free and confidential service 24 hours a

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Childhood Traumatic Grief: Information for School Personnel

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Childhood Traumatic Grief: Information for School Personnel

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CarePlus New Jersey Mental Health Care, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Therapy

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Outpatient Services | CarePlus New Jersey

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CarePlus NJ's Outpatient Services offers comprehensive mental health care, personalized therapy in a supportive and flexible environment.

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Grief | United States | The Dougy Center School & Community Toolkit

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The Dougy Center’s School & Community Toolkit is a comprehensive resource for educators, school counselors, and anyone working with grieving children, teens, and young adults.

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IMPORTANT TIPS FOR STAFF FOLLOWING A TRUAMATIC EVEN

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IMPORTANT TIPS FOR STAFF FOLLOWING A TRUAMATIC EVEN

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Understanding Childhood Grief and How to Help:

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Understanding Childhood Grief and How to Help:

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A Guide for Adults

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Dear Comfort Zone Camp Community,

I am so pleased to share that we are holding in-person camps! In fact, we've safely held seven so far this year! So what's next? We anticipate holding in-person camps with 1:1 matching of kids to adults for the remainder of the year. We also will continue to have the programs we launched during COVID--our virtual and in-person family camps. Both were very successful and will be incorporated into our menu of camp opportunities as we look forward to 2022.

Other Camp News: We have our first ever camp in West Virginia, October 22-24, 2021! Please help up spread the word! We also just held our first camp in Nevada and will be back in Utah this August.

This year, we have a camp in Virginia over the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. We are working on a special way to honor the impacted families who became so close to us. Comfort Zone was one of the first programs to mobilize and help grieving families after the September 11th attacks. When that tragic event happened to our country, CZC was three years old and based only in Virginia; we knew at that moment that we needed to respond and expand our program to families up north.

Our events are also in full swing. Thanks to all those who participated in our Grief Relief National 5K and took the time to run, walk, and remember their loved ones! We have galas, golf tournaments, and more coming this fall. Make sure to check out our events calendar.

We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us for the past 22 years, especially through the pandemic. Grieving children and their families is our priority, and we remain committed to serving that community and making sure they always have a voice and a place.

Lynne Hughes, Founder & CEO

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Dear Comfort Zone Camp Community, I am so pleased to share that we are holding in-person camps! In fact, we've safely held seven so far this year! So what's next? We anticipate holding in-person camps with 1:1 matching of kids to adults for the remainder of the year.

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Grief Resources & Support for Families | Good Grief

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At Good Grief, we focus on providing families, professionals, and communities with a multitude of grief resources, including educational videos, quick tips, and more. Click to view our resources.

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Imagine provides peer grief group support to children and families experiencing the death of an immediate family member.

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Grief Support for Parents & Caregivers | Dougy Center

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We offer resources for the kids in your life who are grieving the death of a sibling, parent, or other caregiver, plus support for yourself.

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Journeys

For children and adolescents, the journey through loss and grief can be especially difficult and painful.

Valley Hospice's pediatric art therapy program, Journeys, is a bereavement program that specifically works with children and adolescents ages 3 to 17 who are affected by the serious illness or death of a loved one. It gives children a safe place to express their grief, anger and fear, while developing important coping skills.

Counseling is provided by board-certified art therapists, who use art and other creative means to help children express their feelings. Patients are seen at the Dorothy B. Kraft Center in Paramus.

As part of Journeys' commitment to the community, a number of special services are available to schools, developmental centers, teachers' groups and community centers. These services range from consultation to educational programs.

A nominal fee is required for pediatric art therapy services, but no one is ever turned away because of an inability to pay.

Our Art Therapist

Gabriella Silverstein, MA, ATR-BC

Gabriella is a board-certified Art Therapist with a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from New York University. She has completed internships in children's grief counseling, public school art therapy programs, and inpatient psychiatric facilities, and worked as a nursing home activity specialist during the pandemic.

Gabriella is experienced in leading individual and group art therapy sessions for people of all ages and physical abilities and implements a primarily person-centered and Jungian theoretical approach. Gabriella is passionate about combining art, play, and relationship as a way to empower her clients to freely express themselves and foster self-awareness, as well as develop healthy coping skills and an internally-focused sensitivity for what life may throw their way.

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Pediatric Art Therapy at Valley Hospice is a bereavement program for children and adolescents who are affected by the serious illness or death of a loved one. It gives children a safe place to express their grief, anger and fear, while developing important coping skills.

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The best way to apply for eligibility for intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) services through CSOC is through our online Family Portal. Get more information about the I/DD application.

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PerformCare - New Jersey Children's System of Care

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PerformCare - A national, full-service, behavioral health managed care organization (BH-MCO) - A Member of AmeriHealth Caritas

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CarePlus New Jersey Mental Health Care, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Therapy

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Adolescent Grief Group - CarePlus New Jersey Mental Health Care, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Therapy

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CarePlus New Jersey Mental Health Care, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Therapy Adolescent Grief Group

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BroReavement - Supportive Community for Grieving Individuals

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Find understanding, support, and community at BroReavement. Navigate your journey through grief with our resources, forums, and compassionate community.

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Guides + Other Resources Information to deepen your understanding of Prolonged Grief and Prolonged Grief Treatment. Healing Milestones: What to expect when you're grieving Six milestones that can serve as [...]

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Whether the loss is a grandparent, a parent, a classmate or even a beloved family pet, the grieving process can be difficult and every child will grieve in his own way. Parents, caregivers and educators wondering how they can help will find many answers to their questions in the following guide, which has been assembled with advice from several experts in the area of child and adolescent grief. You will find tips broken down into a range of ages and experiences, and information about what to say, who should say it, what to look out for and how to help.

We all cope with death and grief differently. If you have several children, you may find that they express how they are feeling in surprisingly divergent ways. This can come down to personality as well as developmental age.

It is a fact that children grieve differently from adults. Young children may not even understand what death means, or that people who have died won't be coming back. They may worry they have done something to cause the death. On the other hand, they might not seem too concerned about it, or even go from crying one moment to wanting to play the next. It is also normal for a child to feel angry at the person who has died (or someone else entirely). As children get older they may begin to understand more, but will still need help from their parents and other caregivers on how to process and cope with loss.

Knowing what to say and how to support children during this time isn't easy. It is likely that you, too, are grieving and trying to deal with your own emotions. While you can't protect children from loss and the pain it may cause, you can play a major role in helping them feel secure and cope in the healthiest way possible.

Who Should Tell the Child?

If at all possible the person delivering the sad news should be the person closest to the child, even if that person is a parent who is also grieving. It is okay if the person sharing the news is sad or crying, but she shouldn't be so overwhelmed that she doesn't have control over her emotions, which would alarm the child even more in an already scary and difficult situation. If the grieving parent is too upset to deliver the news somewhat calmly then it should be the next closest person to the child who breaks the news.

What to Say and How to Say It

There's no perfect time to share the news so children should be told as soon as possible, within reason. Wait until the end of the school day if that's only a few hours. The main consideration is that you don't want your child hearing the news unexpectedly from some other source or walking into a situation where there are a bunch of adults standing around crying or in shock, which could be very scary for him.

Be thoughtful about where to have the conversation. You want to tell your child about the death somewhere where he can feel free to have whatever reaction he is going to have, and that is probably not going to be a public place. You might have the impulse to lessen the blow by sharing the news in a happy location, like a favorite ice cream parlor, but know that a treat won't make the news any less sad or difficult for the child.

Try to use direct language and be prepared to give a brief explanation of how or why the death occurred because children will be curious. You don't have to go into a lot of detail, however. With kids you want to start with the minimum amount of information and then add more based on the questions they ask. As long as it's done in a calm and compassionate way, it is best to keep explanations shorter, simpler and more direct.

Guidelines to keep in mind

The words you choose will vary depending upon the child's age and developmental stage, but experts agree that no matter what the age of the child there are certain guidelines you should stick to.

Follow their lead. The kinds of questions and concerns that children have can be very different from those of adults. Giving children too much information can overwhelm them. It is better to let them ask questions and then answer in the best (and most developmentally appropriate) way you can. Don't be surprised if young children are mostly concerned about themselves. That is simply how young children are.

Encourage children to express their feelings. Do not try to "protect" or "shelter" children by attempting to hide your own sadness. They will invariably know that something is wrong, but will be left feeling alone and confused. Hiding your own grief can also make children feel like the sadness they may be feeling is bad. However, try not to let children see you at your most upset moments, as they may begin to worry about you or feel insecure.

Don't use euphemisms. Avoid phrases like "passed away," "gone," "we lost him." Kids tend to be very literal, and this kind of fuzzy language leaves them anxious, scared and often confused. Or conversely, it may lead them to believe the deceased will come back and that death is not permanent.

Maintain normal routines as much as possible. Grief takes time but children benefit from the security of regular routines and knowing that life goes on.

Memorialize the person who died. Remembering is part of grieving and part of healing. This can be as simple as sharing memories of the person who died or bringing up the name of the person who died so that your child knows it's not taboo to talk about and remember that person. It is important to keep photos around, too.

Advice for the Death of a Pet

For many children, especially young kids, the death of a family pet may mean the loss of a lifelong friend. It may also be your child's first personal encounter with death. Be open and honest about the incident if the death happens unexpectedly. If your pet is suffering from an illness that requires it to be euthanized, reassure your child that your vet has done everything she can but that your pet was too sick to ever recover. Avoid potentially vague and confusing phrases such as "put down." Children told the pet has been "put to sleep" can develop a fear of going to sleep.

Advice for the Death of a Family Member

Death of a grandparent or other relative

The death of a grandparent is often a child's first encounter with human loss of life and grieving. If your children have lost a grandparent, you can explain that most people do not die until they are very old, to assuage any fears they have that you or they may die next. If the relative who has died was a younger person like an aunt or an uncle, explain that they had an illness (or accident) that does not usually take the lives of younger people.

Death of a parent

This is a much more difficult and traumatic event for a child of any age to comprehend and cope with. The remaining parent is likely to be very upset, and showing sadness is fine. But choose a time when you feel you can share the news without feeling out of control of your emotions. Explain the death using developmentally appropriate words and make sure children know that they will still be taken care of. In the case of the death of a parent, no matter what the child's age, professional counseling is often a good idea.

Terminally ill parent

If you are a parent or caregiver, keep the child up-to-date on the status of his parent's health so that nothing comes as a surprise and so that he is not kept wondering and worrying about being there when his parent dies. If possible schedule regular one-on-one time quietly reading, playing cards or just talking with his sick parent so that he has some good memories of how they spent their time together toward the end of his parent's life.

If you are a teacher or counselor at the child's school, know that he may need more support and flexibility at this time. Keeping some routines and expectations is still important, as they can help normalize things for a child, making him feel more secure and giving him a break from his worries. Stay in touch with the child's family and let a caregiver know if you believe the child needs additional support or even to share good news if he has had a particularly good day.

Death of a sibling

It is very unexpected when children die, whether by accident or due to illness. In young children such a loss often brings up questions from the surviving child of whether he is also in danger. Parents who suffer the loss of a child are likely to be inconsolable themselves, but it is important to reassure your children that they are safe and you will be there for them. Let them ask questions and know that they may go in and out of grief for many months while you as the parent are more likely to feel it continuously. Do not hesitate to bring in additional adult caregivers, such as a grandparent, aunt or friend for support.

Advice for a Traumatic Death Such as Suicide or Overdose

A traumatic death is particularly hard to talk about, but children will be curious about how their loved one died and you should not avoid giving an explanation. Try to give children developmentally appropriate information without overwhelming them. For example, you might explain that the person had a disease that caused her brain to stop working the way it should, and that the doctors tried to solve the problem but they weren't able to cure the disease.

As children get older you can begin to give more information. If the loved one died by overdose, you can explain that the disease was addiction, which made that person want more of a substance than was good for her. For teenagers, you can let them know what the specific substance was, and assure them that having this addiction didn't make their loved one bad. As kids get older they may also hear that addiction runs in families. While this is important to keep in mind, you can explain that addiction is a complex disease that is caused by a combination of genes and environment. Having a relative who struggled with addiction does not necessarily mean that they will also struggle with it.

If the loved one died by suicide, you might explain that she had a psychiatric disorder, which is a disease in the brain, and it caused her to die. For older children, do share more information if they ask for it, but avoid sharing troubling details. Assure children that their remaining caregivers are healthy and will take care of them.

Expect children to be processing this death over the course of many years as their understanding of it changes with age. Dealing with such a difficult and traumatic loss may very well require the help of a professional.

Who Else Should Be Informed?

The people your child spends her time with need to know if there has been a significant loss. Certainly teachers, school counselors, coaches, after-school program directors and other family members should be told.

It is important to keep in mind that you can tell the staff at your child's school and it may stay on their radar for a week or two, but if the death is significant - like the loss of a parent - then it's something your child will be dealing without throughout the year and you might need to continuously check in and remind them.

If your child is younger, you should also tell the parents of any of her close friends about the death. If your child is in middle or high school, you should ask if she wants to tell her friends' parents or if you should do it.

What If Your Child Is Away at College?

If the person who has died is someone significant and the distance to your child's school is drivable, experts recommend delivering the news in person. In cases where that's not possible, most schools have a protocol established. Usually if you call the Registrar's office, they will send a representative who will stay with your child while you deliver the news over the phone, make sure he gets connected with supportive friends, walk with him to the health center if necessary or help him pack a bag and get on a plane to return home for the funeral.

Is It Okay to Give Alone Time?

This depends somewhat on the particular child and on the child's age. Little kids go in and out of grieving mode so it is okay to let them play alone in a room as long as you stay nearby in case they switch back into grieving. Keep play dates shorter and at your home for a while so that you can monitor them.

For teens, alone time after delivering the news is certainly appropriate if they want it. And with both teens and younger kids you always want to ask open-ended questions like, "What do you think?" or, "How are you feeling?" Tell them you know this will take time to process and let them know they can always come back to you with questions or just to talk about the loved one who has died.

How to Handle a Major Event That Is Coming Up

If the death happens right around a holiday it's unrealistic to expect that you're really going to be able to have a happy celebration. You might be able to find moments of happiness, but chances are everyone is going to be preoccupied with the loss of the person who has died and you shouldn't try to hide or force your child to hide her grief. That said, you should still acknowledge important occasions, such as a child's birthday or graduation, because ignoring them could also be painful.

If the person who has died is close, the whole year is going to be a year of "firsts" without that person, so celebrations like the first Thanksgiving, birthday, Christmas or Hanukkah without that person are going to be hard. Do what you can to maintain traditions as much as possible, but know, once again, that you and your child will likely experience moments of joy along with some sorrow.

Deciding Whether or Not to Attend the Funeral

Funerals, wakes and memorial services are an important part of the grieving process and a way to say goodbye to the person who has died. But when it comes to whether a child should attend the funeral of a loved one, there is no right or wrong answer. A child should never be forced to attend a funeral. If he indicates that he wants to go, then he should be encouraged to do so. If the child is young, plan to bring a favorite babysitter or someone the child trusts who can leave with the child if he decides he's had enough before the service is over.

Be sure to prepare your child for what he will see. Let him know that people might be dressed in dark colors and that they will be very sad and some might be crying, for example. Explain if there will be a casket that contains the body, and any other important details.

What to Expect With Kids Ages 2-4

At this age kids lack a real understanding of death and are generally unable to process the permanence of it. They are very present-oriented and don't understand that death means "forever." They may ask the same questions over and over again. Be patient, consistent and reassuring. A child who is grieving may have a series of brief but intense responses.

Possible expressions of grief: Regression to earlier behaviors like thumb-sucking and bedwetting, sleep problems, irritability, confusion.

How you can help: Provide honest, direct, brief answers to their questions and lots of reassurance and affection. A consistent routine is also helpful. At this age play is their outlet for grieving.

What to Expect With Kids Ages 4-7

Kids this age may still see death as reversible. They may draw inaccurate conclusions that they caused the death - something called "magical thinking." They tend to ask a lot of concrete questions: "How did he die?" "What will happen to him now?"

Possible expressions of grief: Nightmares, regression to earlier behaviors, changes in sleeping and eating, violent play, attempting to take on the role of the person who died.

How you can help: Encourage expression of the child's feelings through physical outlets as well as symbolic play (drawing and stories) and talking about the person who died.

What to Expect With Kids Ages 7-13

At this age kids' thinking has matured and they are more logical. They may still want to see death as something that is reversible, but they are beginning to understand that it is final.

School-age children tend to ask specific questions and have a desire for detail. They may also be concerned for how others are responding to the death. They want to know what the "right" way to respond is, and are beginning to have the ability to mourn and to understand and recognize mourning in others.

Despite their more logical thinking they may become overly fearful of sickness and injury because they don't quite understand the mechanisms by which people die. Kids can also get fixated on why someone died, especially if it violates their logical principles of right and wrong. Under both of these circumstances try to help children develop an explanation for the death that makes sense to them. When they get older they can begin to understand the loss in a more sophisticated way.

Possible expressions of grief: Regression, school problems, withdrawal from friends, acting out, changes in eating and sleeping habits, overwhelming concerns over their own body, thoughts about their own death.

How you can help: Encourage the expression of feelings no matter what they are. Explain options and allow for choices around funerals and memorial services. Be present, but allow alone time, too. Encourage physical outlets. Don't avoid talking about the death or answering questions.

What to Expect With Kids Ages 13-18

Teenagers are capable of abstract thought and have a much more "adult" concept of death.

Possible expressions of grief: Extreme sadness, denial, regression, risk-taking, preference for talking to peers and others outside of the family, depression, anger, acting out, even possible suicidal thoughts.

How you can help: Encourage them to talk - if not to you, then to friends, teachers or a therapist. Do not attempt to "make it all better" or dismiss their grief. Allow them to mourn. Be available but respect their need to grieve in their own way.

When to Get Professional Help

Grieving is a natural process and it takes time. But symptoms that persist beyond six months or are very impairing can indicate that your child may need professional help to overcome her grief. Some signs your child may need professional help include:

Nightmares

Belief that the world is generally unsafe

Irritability, anger and moodiness

Poor concentration

Appetite or sleep disturbances

Ongoing behavior problems

Persistent regression to earlier behavior in young children, such as clinging, bedwetting or thumb-sucking

Difficulty sleeping

Detachment or withdrawal from others

Use of alcohol or drugs in teens

Inability or refusal to go to school, learn or play with friends

Anxiety

Ongoing depression

Suicidal thoughts

While your first impulse may be to protect and comfort your children, it is crucial that you seek help for your own grief. If you are parenting or supporting a grieving child, one of the best ways to help is to ensure that you are taking care of yourself, too.

Find good sources of support. Research shows us that how well a child does after a death is linked to how well the adults in his life are doing. This doesn't mean hiding your grief from your child. Rather, it means ensuring that you have people and activities in your life that provide comfort. If you need help or some time to take a break and clear your head, prioritize asking for it.

By accessing support, you model for your children ways to take care of themselves, and you reassure them that you will have the energy and presence to be there for them. Be prepared to accept help from friends, relatives and possibly mental health professionals.

How Educators Can Help Kids

Schools play a major role in children's lives, and after a death - either a death in the family or in the extended school community - it is natural to expect that kids may experience grief that impacts their time at school or their ability to do schoolwork. Here are some guidelines for teachers and school psychologists on how to help make sure students feel supported and are coping in a healthy way.

Return to routine. Help students return to a normal routine as soon as possible. Kids of all ages do better when they know what to expect, and routine makes them feel safe and reassures them that the adults are in control and keeping them safe. If it's one child who has suffered a loss, work with that child's parents or caregivers to resume a normal routine as much as possible even if it means modifying classroom work and/or homework for a period of time while the child is still grieving.

Be alert. Teachers should watch for signs that a child might be struggling and need extra help. Kids who are unable to function in the classroom, withdraw from friends, display behavior problems or seem to be experiencing intense sadness, fear or anger should be referred to a guidance counselor or school psychologist who should work with the parents to get the child professional help. Other signs a child may need help include physical manifestations of intense grief, including headaches, stomachaches, intense fatigue or inability to concentrate.

Memorialize. For kids who are school-age (at least six or older), some kind of age-appropriate memorial is a helpful way to remember a teacher, administrator or student who has died. They should be kept relatively brief and tailored by grade level. A guidance counselor or school psychologist is often the best person to organize this kind of event with input from the family of the person who died.

Stay in touch. Teachers and the school administration should stay in touch with parents in the days and weeks after the death has occurred. Parents should be kept up-to-date about the school's programs and activities so they can be prepared for discussions that may continue at home.

The Role of the School After a Student Suicide

There are few things more upsetting to a community than when a teen takes his own life. Here are several things school officials and teachers can do in the wake of this kind of tragedy to make sure students feel supported.

Closely monitor students who are thought to be "at risk" since a depressed teen is at even greater risk of suicide after a peer commits suicide. Some teens turn to alcohol or drugs as a way of coping with this kind of tragedy. Parents should be advised to watch for unusual behavior in their teens, and teachers who suspect any risky behavior should refer those students to the school psychologist.

Talk about the suicide openly and matter-of-factly. Educators and parents should work together to convey consistent messages about the circumstances of the death and reduce confusion and misinformation. Hiding the facts of the suicide from students can result in anxiety and mistrust of the adults upon whom they should be able to rely for reassurance. Explaining the death in a matter-of-fact way can also prevent sensationalizing it.

Suicide should be explained in terms of an unrecognized or untreated mental illness. It should be explained (ideally by a professional therapist) that people with a mental illness often hide their pain even from those who are closest to them. And even if they were in treatment, some people can still die of suicide while seeing a therapist, just as some people can die of cancer even though they are seeing an oncologist.

Keep checking in with students. An event like the suicide of a classmate takes time for kids to process and the fallout - academic, social and emotional - may unfold over several months.

Some kids, whether they were close to the student who died or not, may feel guilty - as if they could or should have known something was wrong or could have done something to stop the suicide. It is important to stress that this is a common response when a death is hard to accept, but that there is nothing they could have done personally to change the situation.

Even though the person who died committed suicide, a school-wide memorial that celebrates his life is still a good idea so that his classmates can remember more than just the way he died. Students who want to should be encouraged to participate by speaking, sharing memories, making video montages, etc. It is important, however, not to go into too much detail about the death itself or to glamorize the death. Death is supposed to be scary and something we want to avoid. Talking too much about the details of a suicide can take away some of this scariness and make other students in the community more likely to consider suicide if they are already depressed.

By giving kids opportunities to share their feelings in a range of settings (both one-on-one and in a group) and by talking about the suicide openly, schools can help students put the death in perspective and heal in a healthy way.

Recommended Books for Kids

Samantha Jane's Missing Smile: A Story About Coping With the Loss of a Parent, by Donna Pincus, for ages 5 and up

I Miss You: A First Look at Death,by Pat Thomas, for ages 4 and up

Good Answers to Tough Questions About Death,by Joy Berry, for ages 6-12

A Complete Book About Death for Kids, by Earl Grollman, for all ages

Everett Anderson's Goodbye,by Lucille Clifton, for ages 5-8, about a father's death

My Grandson Lew, by Charlotte Zolotow, for ages 5 and up, about a grandparent's death

When Something Terrible Happens, by Marge Heegaard, for ages 8 and up

When Someone Very Special Dies, by Marge Heegaard, for ages 8 and up

Help Me Say Goodbye: Activities for Helping Kids Cope When a Special Person Dies,by Janis Silverman, for ages 8 and up

Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children, by Bryan Mellonie, for all ages

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf,by Leo Buscaglia, for all ages

The Next Place, by Warren Hanson, for all ages

This guide was last reviewed or updated on February 23, 2023.

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A guide with advice from several experts on how to help children cope with grief. Tips on what to say, who should say it and how to help.

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Grief Counseling NJ

Grief and loss are unavoidable parts of life. There is no one way to mourn a loved one. The pain and suffering we experience can be overwhelming at times. Suffering a loss and recovering from grief are some of the hardest things we may do. Grief counseling can help.

As a result of your loss, do you find yourself experiencing it?

Intense sadness

Unrelenting depression

Uncontrollable crying

Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness

Frequent nightmares and intrusive thoughts

Difficulty engaging in happy memories

Avoiding people, places, or things that remind you of your loved one

Preoccupation with the deceased

A constant reliving of the death

Lack of desire in your interests

Bitterness or anger

Grief counseling focuses on helping a person through the death of a loved one and adjusting to their new life. Each person goes through a unique grief process. Still, many have found individual or group grief counseling helps them navigate the feelings of denial, anger, pain, and depression that accompany the death of a loved one.

When we feel we are alone, a therapist can provide support for us. There may be things that you want to talk about that you might not want others to know, or you might be concerned that you would be judged. Sometimes our support system wearies of us talking about our loss, and we begin to feel more isolated.

While self-directed activities can be beneficial, having someone tell our story to validate our feelings is also important. The more support and understanding we can get, the easier it is to cope. Grief treatment involves a three-phase process that includes setting goals for recovery, coping with and sharing the loss, and reviewing progress and planning for the future.

At times like this, grief counseling is the answer.

Your therapy might include traditional individual therapy or group therapies, along with some alternative ways to process your loss. If the loss involves a family member, it's often helpful to engage in couple or family counseling.

The death of a loved one is arguably the most traumatic experience any of us can face. The goals of NJ grief counseling are recovery and acceptance. New Jersey, NJ grief counseling seeks to help individuals process, debrief, and cope with extreme stress. Recovery from loss through grief counseling in New Jersey, NJ does not mean that all of the pain, memories, or significance of a loved one are resolved. Still, that one can accept what has happened and that those experiences and memories are an important part of life but not all-consuming.

When you see a NJ trauma therapist or NJ grief counselor, you will find a listening ear. There are several stages of grieving, and compassionate therapy in NJ can be a strong shoulder that will facilitate healing. NJ grief therapy and counseling in New Jersey can help one move through the shock, trauma, and acute suffering so that you are not destroyed by what has happened. Most likely, there are still loved ones in your life who need you, and if you are grieving, you may utterly lack any emotional energy to deal with them. NJ grief counseling can help you.

Our understanding and compassionate therapists are here to help you recognize the particular thoughts, events, or actions that contribute to your grief.

Grief Counseling NJ. Grief Counselor, Grief & Loss, Trauma Therapist NJ

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Grief Counseling NJ in Paramus. Grief and loss are an unavoidable part of life; the pain and suffering we experience can be overwhelming at times.

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Grief and Loss

The disbelief and shock of what happened to you, your family, your loved ones and the future that was taken from you is immeasurable. Learn to have support along the way and feel in control of your life again.

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Dealing with grief and loss is beyond hard. Learn more about how our specialized therapists can help you feel in control of your life again.

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Medical Center, Healthcare, Health System

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Overview

The death of a loved one can result in a range of physical, emotional, social, economic and spiritual needs. Holy Name Medical Center offers a bereavement program that may help surviving adults and children cope with their grief after suffering the loss of a loved one.

Spiritual/grief counseling

Bereavement support groups

Follow-up counseling for one year

Referrals to community resources

For information on bereavement support, call 201-833-3000, ext. 7580.

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Medical Center, Healthcare providers, Cancer Center, Medical Fitness Center, Residential Hospice, Nursing School, Orthopaedic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery, Knee Replacement, high-quality, low-cost provider of extraordinary clinical care, Physician Network, Clinical Research, MS Center, Institute for Wound Healing

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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

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You are not alone. Suicide affects millions each year, and thanks to our donors and volunteers-many of whom are loss survivors themselves-we can provide these resources to help you heal.

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Childhood Traumatic Grief: Information for Parents and Caregivers

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Childhood Traumatic Grief: Information for Parents and Caregivers

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Guidelines for responding to the death of a student or School Staff

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Guidelines for responding to the death of a student or School Staff

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responding to the

death of a student or

school staf

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Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors

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The Alliance of Hope provides healing support for people coping with the shock, excruciating grief, and complex emotions that accompany the loss of a loved one to suicide. We hope that you will find resources here to help you deal with, and eventually heal from, the pain of your loss.

For New Survivors

We understand what you're living through. Read suggestions for the newly bereaved.
Read suggestions

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Find Support - Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors

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The Alliance of Hope provides healing support for people coping with the shock, excruciating grief, and complex emotions that accompany the loss of a loved one to suicide. We hope that you will find resources here to help you deal with, and eventually heal from, the pain of your loss.

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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

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After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools offers best practices and practical tools to help schools in the aftermath of a suicide.

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As part of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), the Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma offers Free Online Education with:

300+ FREE CE certificates

50+ speakers

200+ online webinars

90,000+ members

Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) are promising practices for disaster behavioral health response and recovery. Both PFA and SPR were developed by the National Center for PTSD and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, as well as other individuals involved in coordinating and participating in disaster response and recovery.

PFA and SPR intervention strategies are intended for use with children, adolescents, parents and caretakers, families, and adults who are survivors or witnesses exposed to disaster or terrorism. PFA and SPR can also be provided to first responders and other disaster relief workers.

While grounded in the same foundations of disaster response and recovery, there are several differences between PFA and SPR.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) are promising practices for disaster behavioral health response and recovery. Both PFA and SPR were developed by the National Center for PTSD and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, as well as other individuals involved in coordinating and participating in disaster response and recovery.

PFA and SPR intervention strategies are intended for use with children, adolescents, parents and caretakers, families, and adults who are survivors or witnesses exposed to disaster or terrorism. PFA and SPR can also be provided to first responders and other disaster relief workers.

While grounded in the same foundations of disaster response and recovery, there are several differences between PFA and SPR.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online is 5-hour interactive online course that helps participants learn the core actions of PFA and describes ways to apply them in different post-disaster scenarios and with different survivor needs. This course also covers provider well-being before, during, and after disasters. This course is relevant for new providers who are wanting to be oriented to PFA, as well as for seasoned practitioners who want a review of the PFA concepts.
This 5-hour interactive online training offers certificate of completion with 5 CEs upon completion.

Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) is a 5-hour interactive course designed for providers to help survivors gain skills to manage distress and cope with post-disaster stress and adversity. This course is for individuals who want to learn about using SPR, learning the goals and rationale of each core skill, delivering SPR, and supporting survivors in the aftermath of a disaster or traumatic event.
This 5-hour interactive online training offers certificate of completion with 5 CEs upon completion.

Los Primeros Auxilios Psicológicos constituyen un enfoque modular basado en la evidencia y cuyo objetivo es ayudar a niños, adolescentes, adultos y familias a afrontar las consecuencias inmediatas de desastres o actos de terrorismo. En este curso en línea, Rosaura Orengo-Aguayo, PhD, ha adaptado el entrenamiento de PFA en un formato de 3 horas, en Español. Luego de ver este curso en línea, los participantes recibirán 3 créditos de educación continua.

Destrezas para la Recuperación Psicológica (SPR por sus siglas en inglés) es un curso de 3.5 horas diseñado para que los proveedores ayuden a los sobrevivientes a adquirir destrezas para manejar la angustia y afrontar el estrés y la adversidad luego de un desastre. Este curso es para personas que desean aprender sobre el uso de SPR, conocer los objetivos y la justificación para cada destreza básica, brindar SPR y brindar apoyo a los sobrevivientes después de un desastre o evento traumático. Luego de ver este curso en línea, los participantes recibirán 3.5 créditos de educación continua.

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learn: psychological first aid (pfa) and skills for psychological recovery (spr)

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Learn: Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR)

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As part of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), the Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma offers Free Online Education with: 300+ FREE CE certificates 50+ speakers 200+ online webinars 90,000+ members Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) are promising practices for disaster behavioral health response and recovery.

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Welcome, we are glad you found us!

"What we do is a work of heart"

The above quote is what inspired the name of our practice. Our mission is simple - we believe in real conversations, real strategies, and a down to earth approach, while providing support in a way that allows for meaningful changes in your or your child's life.

Whether your child or teen is struggling, you're postpartum or a mom struggling with parenthood, or you're wondering how to cope with stress, anxiety, or seeking to heal from traumatic experiences we aim to form a relationship with you that offers empowerment, growth and healing- that's why our counseling services are a work of heart.

-Kara Kushnir, LCSW, PMH-C

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A Work of Heart Counseling | Compassionate Therapy & Wellness Services

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A Work of Heart Counseling offers in-person counseling and online therapy services in NJ, NY, PA, FL, and SC. Visit our New Jersey therapy offices in Allendale and Oradell for personalized support in trauma, ADHD/ADD, anxiety, autism, OCD, and child & adolescent therapy.

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Bergen Family Center - Helping Bergen County Families Since 1898

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Sesame Workshop accepts cryptocurrency donations through The Giving Block. Crypto donations are one of the most tax-efficient ways to give to Sesame Workshop. Your crypto contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law if you pay taxes in the U.S.

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Los niños están expuestos a la enfermedad y la muerte en algún momento de sus vidas jóvenes porque la muerte es parte del ciclo natural de la vida. Incluso los niños pequeños que quizás no entienden la muerte reaccionan al duelo de los padres. Los niños mayores se entristecen. Como sucede con todo duelo, el tiempo finalmente permite curar las heridas. Los padres deben apoyar a los niños durante el proceso de duelo para ayudarlos a reanudar sus vidas.

La comprensión de la muerte depende de la edad y del desarrollo

En los diversos niveles de desarrollo, los niños tienen una idea diferente de la irrevocabilidad de la muerte. Su enfoque para hablar de la muerte dependerá del nivel de comprensión que tenga su hijo de 4 conceptos principales de la muerte:

Irreversibilidad (la muerte es permanente).

Irrevocabilidad (todo funcionamiento se detiene con la muerte).

Inevitabilidad (la muerte es universal para todos los seres vivos).

Causalidad (las causas de la muerte).

La falta de comprensión de estas ideas por parte de los niños afecta su capacidad para procesar lo ocurrido y afrontar sus sentimientos.

Bebés y niños pequeños

Los bebés y los niños pequeños no entienden la muerte, pero pueden percibir lo que siente la persona que los cuida. Cuídese y reconozca su propia necesidad de estar triste. Mantenga intactas tantas rutinas como le sea posible. La rutina es una fuerza de protección para los niños en medio de grandes trastornos. Evite la separación física y ofrezca una atención física adicional para consolar a su hijo y aumentar su sentido de seguridad.

Los niños en edad preescolar

Los niños en edad preescolar ven la muerte como algo temporal. Su idea equivocada es reforzada por dibujos animados en los que los personajes vuelven a la vida momentos después de que les caen yunques del cielo. Puesto que los niños pequeños son pensadores concretos que ven las cosas tal y como lucen y escuchan las cosas literalmente, es importante que la información que reciban sobre la muerte se brinde en un lenguaje simple y claro. No utilice eufemismos como "Ella se fue a dormir", "...viajó al más allá" o "...falleció". Estas frases no serán entendidas e incluso pueden generar temores a dormir o hacer viajes largos. En cambio, los niños deben escuchar que su ser querido ha muerto y que "esto significa que ya no podremos verlo". Prepárese para que los niños pequeños sigan preguntando dónde está la persona que murió o cuándo regresa. Siga dando mensajes claros, que pueden ser suavizados con la idea de que los recuerdos duran para siempre. Por supuesto, depende de los padres si van a utilizar explicaciones religiosas. Para los niños pequeños, el uso exclusivo de explicaciones religiosas puede ser ineficaz, ya que ellos necesitan explicaciones mucho más concretas y específicas sobre la realidad física de la muerte.

Dado que los niños pequeños no siempre pueden expresar sus sentimientos, pensamientos y temores, estos surgirán con frecuencia en momentos inesperados, como en sus juegos. Recuerde que el juego puede ser el lenguaje de la infancia, así que manténgase alerta a aquello que los niños quizás estén tratando de decirle a través de sus juegos.

Niños en edad escolar

Los niños en edad escolar comienzan a entender la muerte como un evento final pero quizás no entiendan que es universal. Dele a su hijo explicaciones simples y honestas sobre lo sucedido y luego pregúntele qué es lo que entiende. Tómese tiempo para aclarar cualquier malentendido o interpretación incorrecta. Es posible que los niños pequeños necesiten su apoyo para encontrar las palabras que les permitan expresar sus emociones y encontrar maneras que los ayuden a sentirse mejor. Brinde a los niños repetidas oportunidades de hablar de sus sentimientos. Es más importante escuchar que decir las palabras perfectas.

Además, es posible que los niños en edad escolar aún no entiendan las causas de la muerte. Para ellos es común personificar la muerte (es decir, pensar en la muerte como el "coco" o un fantasma). Pueden creer que tienen la culpa y sentirse culpables por lo sucedido. Asegúreles de que nada de lo que dijeron o hicieron (o no dijeron ni hicieron) causó la muerte y que nada de lo que hagan puede revivir al difunto.

Es posible que los niños pequeños también teman quedarse solos, especialmente por la muerte de un adulto importante para ellos. Cuando una tía muere, por ejemplo, es posible que un niño pequeño le pregunte a su madre,"mamá, ¿cuándo te vas a morir?". No se sorprenda si su hijo se vuelve más cariñoso, más cauteloso y más posesivo de su tiempo.

Recuérdele a su hijo que no toda persona que se enferma muere.

Tranquilícelo con respecto a su salud.

Dígale cuántas personas en su vida lo cuidan.

Ayude a los niños a hacer cosas para disminuir su ansiedad y sea consciente de que quizás no deseen hablar ni pensar en la persona que murió porque es demasiado doloroso.

Cuídese y asegúrese de tener apoyo.

Su hijo lo observa atentamente. Cuando ve que usted está bien, se siente más cómodo. Este es otro caso en el que los padres cuidan de sus hijos al cuidar de sí mismos.

Adolescentes

Los adolescentes entienden la muerte al mismo nivel que los adultos, pero pueden resistirse a expresar cualquier emoción al respecto. Dado que los adolescentes empiezan a pensar de manera abstracta, es posible que luchen por encontrar un sentido a la muerte y consideren preguntas más importantes sobre el propósito de la vida. Como resultado, pueden participar en actividades riesgosas o sentir culpa por estar vivos o enojo por su falta de control sobre la vida y la muerte. Sea paciente, pero mantenga expectativas altas de comportamiento. Independientemente de lo que su hijo adolescente esté sintiendo, lo mejor que puede hacer es alentar a que exprese su dolor de manera saludable.

Dele a su hijo adolescente diversas oportunidades para hablar y apóyelo para encontrar maneras saludables de expresar sus sentimientos:

A veces, el ejercicio puede ayudar a disminuir la tensión.

Puede ser relajante escuchar música tranquila o tomar un baño.

Escribir en un diario, dibujar u otras manifestaciones creativas pueden ayudar a los niños y adolescentes a expresar sus emociones.

Hablar con un amigo o un familiar puede reconfortarlos.

Cree sus propias estrategias de afrontamiento y demuéstrele a su hijo adolescente que buscar ayuda es un acto de fortaleza.

Reacciones comunes a la muerte en diferentes edades

Los padres deben estar atentos a las respuestas normales a la muerte así como a las señales de que un niño puede necesitar ayuda profesional. Es común que todos los niños sientan una amplia gama de emociones en respuesta a la muerte de un ser querido, como impresión, tristeza, ansiedad o enojo. La manera de expresar estos sentimientos depende de su edad y desarrollo.

Niños pequeños

Algunos niños pequeños podrían volver a comportamientos inmaduros (hablar como bebés o chuparse el pulgar) o bien volverse apegados o irritables. Otros podrían tener arranques de ira. Recuerde que estos cambios de comportamiento son manifestaciones probables de emociones no expresadas como confusión o frustración.

Niños en edad escolar

Las reacciones comunes a la muerte de los niños en edad escolar pueden incluir, entre otras, dificultad para concentrarse en la escuela, problemas para dormir y pensamientos recurrentes sobre la muerte. Los niños en edad escolar pueden tener reacciones físicas como dolores de estómago y dolores de cabeza que pueden desencadenarse al estar en lugares que les recuerden a la persona que murió.

Adolescentes

Es probable que los adolescentes sientan una amplia gama de emociones en torno a la muerte, como tristeza, enojo, culpa e impotencia. En respuesta, algunos adolescentes pueden retraerse, mientras que otros adolescentes pueden participar en actividades de riesgo (como la autoagresión o el consumo de drogas o alcohol). Reconozca que estas acciones son el intento de su hijo adolescente por recuperar el control y afrontar sus emociones.

Elyse C. Salek, MEd y Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, MS Ed, FAAP

Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings, 3rd Edition (Copyright © 2015 Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, MS Ed, FAAP, and Martha M. Jablow)

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muerte~ hablar~ enfermedad~ vida~ juventud~ sanar~ luto~ ciclo de vida~ sentimientos~ entendimiento~ discusión~ depende de la edad~ preescolar~ niños pequeños~ adolescentes~ reacciones~ sufrimiento~ dolor~ enfrentar~ afrontamiento

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Cómo entienden los niños la muerte y qué debe decir

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Los niños están expuestos a la enfermedad y la muerte en algún momento de sus vidas jóvenes porque la muerte es parte del ciclo natural de la vida.

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Muchos niños experimentan la muerte de un familiar cercano o un amigo en algún momento de su niñez. Antes de la pandemia de COVID-19, se estimaba que 1 de cada 20 niños lamentaba la muerte de alguno de sus padres antes de los 16 años.

Lamentablemente, estos promedios sin duda aumentarán a medida que continúe la pandemia. De hecho, hasta la redacción de este artículo,más de 140,000 niños menores de 18 años en los Estados Unidos han perdido a un padre o abuelo a causa de COVID.

Si su hijo ha perdido a un ser querido, es posible que se pregunte qué síntomas de duelo puede esperar y qué otros podrían ser motivo de mayor preocupación. Las respuestas varían según la edad de su hijo y lo que considere su comportamiento típico.

Los niños son personas. Y su duelo es personal.

Algunos de los niños quieren hablar de la persona que murió mientras que otros no quieren compartir sus sentimientos en lo absoluto. Como las reacciones al duelo son variadas, es importante no asumir jamás lo que un niño puedo o no estar viviendo. Dígale con claridad que usted está disponible cuando él o ella quiera hablar y si desea hacerlo. Y cuando lo haga, asegúrese de escucharlo.

Piense en lo que es típico de su hijo

Vicki Jay, directora (CEO) de la National Alliance for Grieving Children -en inglés- (Alianza Nacional de Niños Afligidos) exhorta a los padres a pensar en el temperamento individual de su hijo.

"Cuando un comportamiento o un rasgo de la personalidad es diferente a lo que era antes de la pérdida, suele ser una señal de que el niño tiene dificultades con el duelo y podría necesitar cierto apoyo adicional", dijo. Por ejemplo, un niño que suele ser extrovertido podría volverse introvertido y querer estar todo el tiempo solo. Un adolescente que se sabe que es fuerte, independiente y motivado podría parecer ahora que no es capaz de tomar decisiones o completar proyectos.

Señales de que su hijo tal vez necesite ayuda

Según el Center for Loss and Life Transition -en inglés- (Centro Sobre Pérdida y Transiciones de la Vida) las siguientes son señales de que un niño que está de duelo podría beneficiarse de un apoyo adicional:

Problemas continuos para dormir o sueño agitado.

Baja autoestima o depresión.

Fracaso académico constante o falta de interés en las actividades relacionadas con la escuela.

Rompimiento de relaciones con familiares y amigos.

Conductas relacionadas con la toma de riesgos como consumo de drogas y alcohol, peleas o experimentación sexual.

Algunas maneras de ayudar a los niños de cualquier edad que están atravesando un duelo

Recordar que hay que sanar. A veces los niños temen olvidarse de la persona fallecida. Buscar formas de reconocer y recordar lo valioso de la relación del niño con la persona fallecida es parte del proceso de sanación.

Volver a la rutina habitual. Con frecuencia a los niños les cuesta concentrarse en las tareas escolares tras la pérdida de un ser querido. Pero volver a la escuela y retomar la rutina habitual es importante para la salud de sus niños y podría ayudarlos a avanzar en su proceso de duelo, siempre y cuando reciban suficiente apoyo y adaptaciones. Hable con los maestros de sus hijos y demás personas clave en la escuela sobre cómo podría ser de ayuda el apoyo adicional, como tutorías y cambios temporales en la carga de tareas de la clase.

Hablar con el pediatra. Después de una muerte, los niños suelen preocuparse por su propia salud y la de las demás personas queridas. El estrés de la pérdida puede, además, causar síntomas como dolores de cabeza y problemas estomacales. El profesional de la salud de su hijo puede ayudar a identificar dolencias relacionadas con las enfermedades físicas, la angustia emocional o una combinación de ambas cosas. También puede dirigirlo a recursos comunitarios como grupos de apoyo y campamentos para proceso de duelos.

Prevea los disparadores de la tristeza. La tristeza del duelo puede empeorar ante eventos importantes, como días festivos, y experiencias cotidianas, como por ejemplo escuchar la canción favorita de su ser querido. Ayude a sus hijos a entender que estas experiencias son naturales. Explique que, si bien el duelo puede durar toda la vida, seguirán desarrollando nuevas habilidades para sobrellevar el dolor de la pérdida.

Buscar apoyo

A muchos padres les cuesta encontrar las palabras justas para ayudar a sus hijos a procesar su duelo. Es probable que ellos también estén procesando sus propias emociones. Pero deben saber que no están solos. Si cree que su hijo está teniendo dificultad para salir adelante en el proceso de duelo, o si simplemente tiene preguntas, hay recursos comunitarios que pueden ser útiles. Hable con el pediatra de su hijo y acérquese a consejeros orientadores, clérigos, trabajadores sociales locales y terapeutas para ayudar a su hijo. Deje en claro que buscar ayuda de los demás es un acto de fortaleza.

Información adicional:

American Academy of Pediatrics and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Copyright © 2020)

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sufrir una pérdida~ llorar a un ser querido~ preocuparse~ problemas emocionales~ escuela~ miedo de estar solos~ enfrentar la pérdida~ difunto~ reacciones a la muerte~ etapas de sufrimiento

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El duelo en la infancia: cuándo buscar ayuda adicional

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​Aunque existen reacciones comunes a la muerte, los padres deben tener en cuenta que cada niño siente la pena de forma diferente. Algunos podrían sufrir calladamente, mientras que otros podrían actuar con ira.

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These resources were created as a tool for those supporting a child that is grieving, and we encourage you to use and share them freely. If you are seeking direct support, please visit our Find Support page.

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These resources were created as a tool for those supporting a child that is grieving, and we encourage you to use and share them freely. If you are seeking direct support, please visit our Find Support page.

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Addiction Services - Vantage Health System

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Services | West Bergen Mental Healthcare Services in Northern NJ

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Serving the community with empathy and excellence for over 50 years

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Health Solutions - Wellness Solutions Counseling Services

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At Wellness Solutions Counseling Services, we offer personalized care and unwavering support to guide you toward healing and personal growth.

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Online Therapy in New Jersey, New York & Florida - Deb Kourgelis

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Grief, loss, trauma, and addiction therapy with Deborah Kourgelis, LCSW, LCADC. Online therapy and compassionate guidance for women and young adults.

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Together, we work to create safe spaces, provide training and resources to help prevent suicide among youth and young adults. To get alerts for new trainings and resources join our mailing list below.

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PSNJ is the collective vision of professionals, organizations, parents/caregivers, community members, youth and young adults in New Jersey.

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Are you worried someone you know is thinking about suicide? Are you currently supporting a person who is experiencing suicidal thoughts? We’ll guide you through the challenges of being a suicide caregiver.

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My name is Ann Fuchs and I am the Director of Camp COPE, a free, weekend bereavement camp for youth 7 to 17, who are grieving the death of a significant person in their lives. The weekend combines grief education and emotional support with fun, traditional camp activities. Led by bereavement professionals and trained, compassionate volunteers, campers are provided a safe environment to explore their grief, learn essential coping skills, and make friends with peers who are grieving.

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Clear Skies Counseling, Wellness & Consultation - Counseling

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Therapy, Counseling, Trauma Focused, EMDR, Children, Adults, Telehealth, Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Psychology, LPC, NJ. Paperwork can be filled out online. Schedule an appointment today. Contact us at (201) 632-3703.

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Growth Mindset Counseling LLC - Mental Health Therapy

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Growth Mindset Counseling in Ramsey, NJ offers compassionate therapy for stress, anxiety, relationships & more—empowering you to grow through life’s challenges.

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Dealing with Grief in the School.Administrator Guide.dr.11.19.13

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Therapist & Psychologist in Bergen County, NJ

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Seeking a therapist or psychologist in Bergen County, NJ? We can help. Get personalized care to overcome challenges and thrive.

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NCTSN-Partnered Resource for Supporting Youth Conversations with Friends or Peers about Suicide and Self-Harm - ASAP

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The ASAP Center collaborated with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s Youth Task Force to develop a partnered resource for youth suicide prevention. This 3-part resource* supports youth when talking with friends and peers about suicide and self-harm and engages youth in self-care when navigating these difficult conversations. ASAP’s psychologist, Dr. Lucas Zullo, led the ASAP partnership on […]

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) Field Operations Guide

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Gives guidance on responding to disaster, violence, or terrorism events using the Skills for Psychological Recovery intervention. This approach helps to assist children, adolescents, adults, and families in the aftermath of disaster and terrorism.

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This website is funded through a cooperative agreement from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). Cooperative agreements No. 2017-MU-GX-K114, 2020-V7-GX-K002 and 15POVC-23-GK-00555-AERX

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Evidence-based resources for civic leaders, policy makers, victim service professionals, mental health professionals, and journalists to prepare for and respond to mass violence incidents.

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Tender Hearts is a compassionate grief support community led by expert David Kessler. Join weekly live groups, connect with others facing similar losses, and find comfort, understanding, and guidance—exactly where you are in your grief.

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Rainbows for All Children – Ridgewood YMCA

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New Horizons Counseling & Wellness specializes in therapy services for children & adolescents counseling, adult counseling, and couples counseling. With a focus on anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, schools, and life transitions in Parsippany (Morris County) NJ. In person and telehealth servi

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Grief Unbound | Compassionate Grief Counseling

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You don’t have to carry this alone. Professional, compassionate grief support when you need it most.

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Set It Up Inc. offers mental health counseling, skill-building groups, and educational workshops in Paramus, NJ to support personal growth and well-being.