Bereavement

Bereavement refers to the state of experiencing grief after the death of a loved one, and for teenagers, it can manifest as a complex mix of emotions like sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, and confusion, often impacting their daily life, school performance, and relationships, as they navigate the difficult feelings of loss while also dealing with the developmental challenges of adolescence.

Key points about bereavement in teenagers:

Intense emotions: Teenagers may experience a wide range of strong emotions that can feel overwhelming, including shock, disbelief, anger, and sadness, sometimes fluctuating rapidly between different feelings.
Difficulty understanding death: While aware of death, teenagers may still struggle to fully grasp its finality, leading to confusion and questions about the situation.
Social challenges: They might withdraw from friends, have trouble relating to peers who haven't experienced a loss, or feel isolated due to their grief.
Impact on academics: Bereavement can significantly affect concentration and motivation, leading to declining grades or difficulty keeping up with schoolwork.
Physical symptoms: Physical symptoms like changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, headaches, and fatigue are common manifestations of grief.
Risk-taking behaviours: In some cases, teenagers might engage in risky behaviours as a coping mechanism, like substance abuse or reckless driving.
Guilt and self-blame: Teenagers may experience feelings of guilt, blaming themselves for the loss or wishing they had done something differently.

How to support a bereaved teenager:

Open communication:Encourage them to talk about their feelings and listen without judgment.
Validate their emotions:Let them know that their feelings are normal and that grief is a natural process.
Professional help:Consider seeking support from a therapist or grief counsellor if their grief is significantly impacting their daily life. Woodmill also provides ‘Seasons For Growth’ which is a group setting providing an understanding to young people on grief and supporting them through the process.
Respect their privacy:While offering support, also give them space when needed.
Connect them with peers:If possible, connect them with other teenagers who have experienced loss to share their experiences, again this can be done via them attending ‘Seasons For Growth’.

Resources:

Bereavement by Mind - Bereavement

Seasons For Growth Leaflet - Seasons

Seasons For Growth Referral Letter - Seasons invite

Winstons Wish: A Guide to Supporting Grieving Young People in Education - Winstons Guide

Charter for Bereaved Children - Charter

‘THUNKS’ Questions - Questions on death

Grief Encounter Website - Guides Archive - Grief Encounter

NHS Fife Bereavement Care - Bereavement care | NHS Fife

Cruse Bereavement Care – 08088081677 (Home - Cruse Bereavement Support)

The Spark – 08088022088 (The Spark Counselling Dunfermline - The Spark)

Youtube Videos:

The Grieving Process: Coping with Death - The Grieving Process: Coping with Death - YouTube

How to Help a Grieving Friend - How to help a grieving friend: the animation - YouTube

How to Deal With Loss or Grief - How to Deal With Loss or Grief of Love Ones - YouTube

Physical Symptoms of Grief - The Physical Symptoms Of Grief

Complicated Grief: Why Grief Gets Stuck - Complicated Grief: Why Grief Gets Stuck

5 Things About Grief No One Tells You - 5 Things About Grief No One Really Tells You

How to Live After Your Soulmate Has Died - How to live after your soulmate has died | Michelle Thaller

Woodmill High School Seasons Video - Seasons For Growth\SFG FINAL EDIT.mp4