Grief is the intense experience that we all go through in the tragic event of losing somebody we know. There is no right or wrong way to experience it and there is no specific time set on how long it should go for – everyone has their own individual process and this is normal. However, sometimes it has can have an effect that is much larger or lasts for much longer than what would be expected, and it becomes extremely difficult to cope.
Particularly if your child has recently lost someone, it is important to check whether they need some extra support due to their increased vulnerability at a young age. It is common that children and adolescents withdraw and refuse to admit to their personal struggle, however the negative effects are often noticeable in their behaviour.
Some indications that the grief of a loss is having a significant effect on your child include:
Although these are all a normal part of the grieving process, they should not be going through it alone. If they are refusing to seek help from yourself, a psychologist can provide a trusting, open relationship for your child to work through these difficult emotions and feelings. They can also provide encouragement and support for your child to talk more openly about things within the family.
Some of the specific ways they can provide relief for your child include:
