How Grief Awareness Helps Children in Need of Support

Raising awareness of the impact grief can have on children has never been more important. The grief, isolation, and unprecedented loss of life experienced during the global pandemic has brought into sharp focus the needs of children who have lost parents, family members, and those close to them.

The Benefits of Children’s Grief Awareness Day

Children’s Grief Awareness Day was created for one simple reason – kids who lose a parent, sibling, or loved one don’t simply “get over it”. All too often, children grieving the loss of a loved one feels isolated and alone. Part of the reason is people’s lack of awareness and understanding of how they can be supportive. Children’s Grief Awareness Day ensures children get the support they need from home, school, and the community.

Children’s Grief Awareness Day seeks to raise awareness of the impact that death has on children, highlight the benefits of finding support, and equip peers and adults with the tools necessary to support grieving kids. It seeks to honor grieving children and the loved ones who have died.

We observe Children’s Grief Awareness Day annually on the third Thursday in November – this year on November 18. Falling on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, the timing of this day of awareness is intentional. It coincides with the start of the holiday season, an especially difficult time for grieving children and families.

Three Reasons Why Grief Awareness Matters

Reason One: The majority of children take much longer to process and navigate their grief than we expect. Some children feel loss throughout their lifetimes, long after they resume their daily routines and their lives appear to return to normal.

Reason Two: It gives children permission to grieve—creating a safe environment for children to explore their thoughts and feelings, and share their grief stories to help them adapt after tragedy and build hopefulness for the future.

Reason Three: It helps people learn ways they might offer help and be supportive of a child they know who might be grieving—now or in the future.

Children’s Grief Awareness Day is an opportunity to help normalize death and grief as a natural part of life. It’s also a way to break the cycle of isolation and reduce risks for grieving children and families everywhere. To learn more about other support systems for grieving children, visit our website today.