Gourt > Kids and Teens > Health > Emotional Health and Wellbeing > Grief
Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, it also has a physical, cognitive, behavioural, social and philosophical dimensions. Common to human experience is the death of a loved one, be they friend, family, or other. While the terms are often used interchangeably, bereavement often refers to the state of loss, and grief to the reaction to loss. Losses can range from loss of employment, pets, status, a sense of safety, order, possessions, to the loss of the people nearest to us. Our response to loss is varied and researchers have moved away from conventional views of grief (that is, that people move through an orderly and predictable series of responses to loss) to one that considers the wide variety of responses that are influenced by personality, family, culture, and spiritual and religious beliefs and practices.
Bereavement, while a normal part of life for us all, carries high risk factors when no support is available. Severe reactions to loss may carry over into familial relations and cause trauma for children and spouses: there is an increased risk of marital breakup following the death of a child, for example. Many forms of what we term 'mental illness' have loss as their root and aetiology, but covered by many years and circumstances this often goes unnoticed. Issues of personal faith and beliefs also come under severe attack as persons reassess personal definitions in the face of great pain. Probably the best resource to avoid problems are early intervention and caring support, and understanding of the experience. Often non-professionals are just as or more effective in this role than professionals.
Stage theories and processes
Some researchers such as Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and others have posited sequential stages including denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. As research progressed over the past 40 years, many who worked with the bereaved found stage models too simplistic and instead began to look at processes, dynamics, and experiences common to all. John Bowlby, a noted psychologist, outlined the ebb and flow of processes such as Shock and Numbness, Yearning and Searching, Disorganization and Despair, and Reorganization. Bowlby and Parkes both note psychophysiologic components of grief as well. Included in these processes are: More on [ Grief ]
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Amanda the Panda - Provides support to grieving children and their families through a chat room and a bulletin board.
Meta Description: [ Amanda the Panda provides support to grieving children and their families through a variety of services. Support is provided through weekend camps, support groups, home visits, fun days, school presentations, holiday cheer boxes, pen pal programs, Halloween and Christmas parties, birthday cards... ]
Camp Heaven - This is what a camp might be like in heaven with activities, lodging, supplies, and sports.
I Miss My Dad - After a parent dies, it's common to wish we could still talk to them. On this site, kids post email messages to a parent that has died, for all to read.
Meta Description: [ i miss my dad father daddy pop grieve greive bereave loss bereavment breavement greiving grieving death sad passed away died dead death I love you ]
I Will Remember You: Questions and Answers - Dr. Elena Lister answers teen questions on grief.
Meta Description: [ I WILL REMEMBER YOU - A Q & A with contributor Elena Lister, M.D. ]
KidsAid - Grief support for kids that have have suffered a loss, provided by other kids. Question and answer, peer support and stories. Site monitored by adults.
Meta Description: [ KIDSAID is a site to kids, for kids, by kids for grief support and peer support. They can also share information about their pets and find hundred of links to online games. A venue for kids to express themselves through artwork, stories, and poetry. Kids can ask questions and get answers from ot... ]
RD4U - Offers information and support for kids hurt by the death of someone close. Designed by kids, with interaction and games.
Meta Description: [ supporting young people after the death of someone close ]
Someone in My Friend's Family Died - What Should I Do? - When friends lose someone they love - a brother, a sister, a parent, or even a pet - sometimes they change for a while.
Meta Description: [ Someone important to your friend has died. What do you do? ]
When Somebody Dies - It's difficult, even for grown-ups, to understand why death must happen. This article tries to help kids understand.
Meta Description: [ It's difficult, even for grown-ups, to understand why death must happen. It may be the hardest thing of all to understand. We'll try to help you understand a little bit more in this article for kids. ]
| Janet Jackson expresses the family's grief at the loss of Michael Jackson at the BET awards | |
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