Teens and death

[sacback]

I think teens deal with death alot harder than others especially if they were close to the person who passed one. There are always steps you want to take when it comes helping them cope.

Seek out caring people. Find friends and relatives who can understand your feelings of loss or join support groups with others who are experiencing similar losses.


Express your feelings. Tell others how you are feeling; it will help you to work through the grieving process.


Take care of your health. Maintain regular contact with your family physician and be sure to eat well and get plenty of rest.


Accept that life is for the living. It takes effort to begin to live again in the present and not dwell on the past.


Postpone major life changes. Try to hold off on making any major changes to give yourself time to adjust to your loss.


Be patient. It can take months or even years to absorb a major loss and accept your changed life.


Seek outside help when necessary. If your grief seems to be too much to bear, seek professional assistance to help come to terms with your loss and work through your grief.

[micheal]

I agree. Some teens and even younger children. do not know how to cope with the loss of a loved one. You have given good advice there. I sure am going to share the info. Thanks.

[crystal]

Idea's on coping. I will share this with a friend of mine. Just not right away. I think its a bit to soon. I will share it though. Thanks for the good information.

[illuseesion]

Yeah. A good idea. In time tell her . Here ya go I found this information . I thought you could use it. It's ideas on coping. Then perhaps remind your friend. That you are her friend and will be there for her. A reminder sometimes helps.

[Corrie_Herman]

Today, Valley of Life syndicated advice provided by Amy Dickinson in her column Ask Amy to a 12-year old girl who was struggling with stress a year after her mother had passed away. This advice may be helpful to others hear that have teenagers still trying to cope with the loss.

Ask Amy Advice to Grieving 12-year Old

[CarrieW]

There is a 15 year old girl in the youth group I work with whose dad passed away this summer from brain cancer. I learned of her situation about a month before he died and immediately was drawn to her. I know that I had to tell her that I had lost my dad.
She crumbled as I told her of my own situation. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she looked at me through tear stained eyes and said, "do you ever wonder who will walk you down the aisle?"
I began to cry also. This 15 year old girl is facing the same grief over the future she wishes she could have had that I face being a 21 year old young adult.
I began to talk with her. No I do not have any secrets or shortcuts through the grieving process, it is a valley with a posted speed limit that allows only for walking.
She did not have anyone in her life who understood and had been feeling so very alone. Finally she understood that she was not isolated in her circumstances, and that there were people who understood loss.
She comes to me when she needs to vent and cry, and I am more than happy to sit with her and cry as well.
It's not about having the "right" thing to say. It's about being present and being available.
There is a closeness that exists in having walked the same roads and faced the same fears.
This has been a huge part of my own process- connecting with others in similar circumstances. I cannot tell you how many people have come into my life that have also lost their dads. I am consistently meeting people who understand losing a parent, and there is comfort and safety in these relationships. It is impossible to feel isolated when you know there are others who face the same circumstances.

[JillianM]

That 15 year old girl is very lucky to have you Carrie.

The power of a listening ear can truly change people. I hope others in grief find someone like you out there, or maybe even here in this forum to talk through things with.

[portmanelva@gmail.com]

Teens and children don't know how to deal with grief because they don't know how to cope. I read your information and its really helpful for teens and children for deal with loss of loved one. Thanks for sharing this information. Free Family Tree Charts