Global Grief Network logoGGN Childhood and Adolescent Grief
Global Grief Network Education Center
Module 6 of 6

Practitioner Takeaways

About 1 hour

If you or someone you know may be in danger right nowCall 988Text 988Immediate danger: call 911

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.

Lessons in this module
  1. Developmentally aware support
  2. Partnering with caregivers
  3. Knowing your limits
  4. Caring for yourself

Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Lesson

Developmentally aware support

Match your language and activities to the young person's age and understanding. Use play, art, and movement with younger children, and respect teens' need for privacy and choice.

Partnering with caregivers

Caregivers are often grieving too. Support them in supporting the child. Share simple information about how young people grieve and invite them to share what they notice at home.

Knowing your limits

Education and peer support are valuable, but they are not clinical care. Connect families with a pediatrician, school counselor, or licensed professional when distress is intense or lasting, when a young person is harming themselves, or when there are concerns about safety. For thoughts of suicide, call or text 988; for immediate danger, call 911.

Caring for yourself

Supporting grieving young people can stir up your own memories. Notice your reactions, take breaks, and seek support from colleagues and your own network.

GGN reminder: The most important thing practitioners offer young people is a safe, honest, steady relationship.
GGN practiceMy referral list (about 15 minutes)

Write down the people and services you would contact if a grieving young person in your care needed more support, including 988 and 911. Note how you would explain the referral to a family. If this brings up pain, pause and reach out to someone you trust, or call or text 988.

Fictional storyFictional Story 6.1: Two grieving people in one room

Practitioner Lena met with a grandmother raising her grandson after his mother died. The grandmother cried most of the session and apologized for not being strong for him.

Questions to consider:

  1. What might the grandmother need?
  2. How could Lena help her support her grandson?

Discussion: The grandmother is grieving her daughter while caring for a child. Lena can acknowledge her grief, reassure her that showing feelings can help the boy learn grief is normal, and connect her with support for herself as well.

Reflection Prompts

  1. What ages do you feel most and least confident supporting?
  2. How do you include caregivers in your work?
  3. What helps you care for yourself after hard sessions?

Module 6 Quiz

Choose one answer per question, then check your answers. You need 4 of 5 correct to pass, and every critical item must be correct. You can retake it any time.