Child Grief Awareness Day 2018

November is Children’s Grief Awareness month and November 15th is Children’s Grief Awareness Day.

The Solace Tree and National Alliance for Grieving Children promote awareness of the needs of children and teens grieving a death and provides education and resources for anyone who wants to support them. Join us in working towards raising awareness of children’s grief. You can make a difference in the life of a grieving child!

Every November, the Solace Tree and NAGC proudly observes Children’s Grief Awareness Month. We acknowledge this month by wearing blue and hosting awareness events. Bereaved children are often referred to as the “forgotten mourners”. Many bereaved children feel isolated in their grief, unaware that they are not alone. Children’s Grief Awareness Month is an opportunity to tell children they are not forgotten and that there is support, hope and healing to be found. The Solace Tree and NAGC is committed to advocate for bereaved children and help them find a voice, please join us! Anyone can participate!

Share a Message of Hope

The Solace Tree and the National Alliance for Grieving Children is committed to serving as a catalyst for leading a national movement to educate, advocate and raise awareness about the needs of grieving children, teens and their families.

Join Our Social Media Campaign: #ChildrenGrieve

  • Update your Facebook prorfile picture to the “November is Children’s Grief Awareness Month” picture for part or all of November. (Facebook, visit: www.facebook.com/fbcameraeffects/tryit/600251486765988/, For other sociall media outlets: Right click to save to your computer.)
  • Share a message of hope. #ChildrenGrieve, but they do not need to grieve alone. The following are key messages to share with your social network:

Children Grieve…

…when people in their lives die.

…in a personal, individual, and unique way.

…within the context of their family, culture, and community.

…the death of someone in their life in different ways at different times.

Children who are grieving a death are supported when…

…parents and caregivers provide attentiveness, warmth, and connection.

…they hear words and see actions that uplift, empower, and encourage them.

…they are prepared for things they might see and experience after the death.

…adults model healthy coping.

…they are given space to experience and express their grief in their own ways.

…they are able to connect with peers who have also experienced a death.

Resources to Help Raise Awareness

Childhood grief remains one of society’s most overlooked and least understood issues. This lack of community awareness compounds the grief journey that every bereaved family must undergo. By developing a timely, robust body of knowledge around kids’ and parents’ grief experience – and sharing that knowledge broadly – we hope to raise public awareness and understanding of the prevalence and impact of childhood loss.

Nationwide Poll of Grieving Children and Teenagers
Nationwide Poll of the Parents of Grieving Children
Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM)