988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7 by call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans: dial 988 then press 1. Outside the US, use your local emergency number or crisis line. This program is education, not crisis care. If you are struggling as you read, please pause and reach out now.
Children and teens grieve too. They may show it in short bursts, in play, in silence, or in questions that arrive at bedtime. The adults around them often wonder what to say and worry about saying the wrong thing.
This program offers plain-language guidance for parents, caregivers, relatives, teachers, coaches, faith leaders, and practitioners who want to walk alongside a young person after a loss.
The Global Grief Network (GGN) exists so that no one has to grieve alone. Through the GGN app, the Memory Wall, our streaming and broadcasting channels, Grief Talk Magazine, the Grief First Aid course, the GGN Practitioner Directory, and the GGN Educator Directory, we connect grieving people with community, information, and care.
The program follows four simple steps that run through every module:
An important note before you begin. This is an education program. It is not crisis care, clinical treatment, counseling, or a substitute for professional help. If you or someone you love is in crisis in the United States, call or text 988. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Take breaks as you need them, and reach out if any part of this brings up pain for you.
GGN Childhood and Adolescent Grief: Supporting Young People Through Loss. A GGN education program leading to the Global Grief Network Certification.
What this program is
A self-paced course of about 6 hours.
Plain-language education written for grieving people, supporters, and practitioners.
Practical, original GGN practices, fictional stories, reflection prompts, and quizzes.
What this program is not
It is not crisis care. In a crisis, call or text 988, or call 911 for immediate danger.
It is not mental health treatment, counseling, or clinical care for children.
It does not teach diagnosis of any condition.
It is not a substitute for a pediatrician, school counselor, or licensed professional.
Who This Program Is For
Parents, grandparents, foster and kinship caregivers.
Teachers, school staff, coaches, and youth leaders.
Grief educators, volunteers, and other practitioners.
There are no prerequisites.
Format and Time
Module
Title
Time
1
How Young People Understand Death
1 hour
2
What Grief Looks Like in Children and Teens
1 hour
3
Honest Conversations
1 hour
4
Support at Home
1 hour
5
Support at School and in the Community
1 hour
6
Practitioner Takeaways
1 hour
Each module has objectives, lessons, a GGN practice, a fictional story, reflection prompts, and a quiz. A final assessment, a crisis resources page, and the Global Grief Network Certification complete the program.
A note on safety and care
This program follows safe messaging practice. It does not include graphic detail or describe methods of harm, and it centers hope, help-seeking, and connection. All stories are fictional. If you need to stop, please do, and come back when you are ready.
