Grief support resources:

Please keep in mind that each person's grief and healing process is unique, and we all cope with grief in different ways.  When in doubt, ask the person how they would like to be supported.

http://christicenter.org/

http://www.austingrief.org/

http://www.hospiceaustin.org/

https://cbcst.org/

https://www.bosplace.org/en/

helpful information to support teens experiencing Grief:

https://christicenter.org/kids-teens-grief-services/#teens

https://christicenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/CC_GriefBooklet-Web-April-2019.pdf

https://www.centerforloss.com/2016/12/helping-teenagers-cope-grief/

Death from AN adolescent's Point of View:

 SCHOOL AGE (AGES 7-11) Child’s Understanding:

Child’s Understanding

• Understands death as permanent and irreversible

• May question their own mortality

• May be concerned about what happens after a person dies

Frequently Observed Behaviors

• Feelings may be expressed or held in…often “seem” to be doing well

• May develop a “mask” of uncaring or joking

• Regression still common

• Relationships with friends becoming more important

• May take on the role of the person who died

• May see changes in behavior, mood, grades, and relationships

What Helps?

• Respect their feelings and support their style of coping

• Be available and address concerns they may have on how the death has

affected their life

• Do not ask the child to be brave, strong, in control, or responsible for

taking care of others

• Answering “I don’t know…what do you think?” when you don’t have the

answers

• Provide expressive and physical activities to release energy

• Give opportunities for choices to provide a sense of control

• Continue consistent routines and communication with school

ADOLESCENTS UNDERSTANDING (AGES 12+):

Adolescents Understanding

• Full awareness of death but only beginning to grapple with it spiritually

• Possible survivor guilt

• Often try to make meaning out of the loss

Frequently Observed Behaviors

• Can test their own mortality with increased risk-taking behaviors

• Depression and regression common

• Feel that life is unfair and can act out, withdraw, express anger

• Focus on relationships outside the family

• Striving for independence yet often fragile inside

What's Helpful?

• Be available and let them know you are there if they need you

• Validate their feelings and be open to discussing all the “why” questions

about life and death

• Be supportive and tolerant of behavior as long as it is not harmful to

themselves or others

• Respect adolescents need to work through grief independently and their

reliance on friends

• Encourage expressive outlets to channel strong emotions and search for

meaning

Cele Counseling team is available to support students on campus and we can guide you in finding community resources that best fit your kiddo's needs.  Reach out to Ms. Duffina 512-594-3077 your School's Social Worker or your student's School Counselor.  You can call main office 512-594-3000 and ask for your student's counselor to reach them directly.