Articles
Helping a Teenager Deal with Grief
Successful Children Who Lost a Parent
Summary: Written with the perspective of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, this article takes a deep dive into the world of 'successful' adults who lost a parent during childhood. While many articles exist that highlight the negative outcomes of losing a parent so young, this one takes a different approach, illuminating the 'eminent orphans' effect, a category designed to include those "who are on their own... forced to persist, to invent, to chart their own way".
6 Ways Adolescent Grief is Different
Helping Teenagers Cope with Grief
Age Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
Books
The links below will direct you to Amazon to purchase the book, however we recommend checking with your local bookstores whenever possible.
They Both Die at the End
Summary: Fiction. "Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.
Adam Silvera reminds us that there’s no life without death and no love without loss in this devastating yet uplifting story about two people whose lives change over the course of one unforgettable day."
Minimum Age recommendation: 14
Minimum Age recommendation: 14
Minimum Age recommendation: 14
The Astonishing Color of After
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
Summary: "Claire Bidwell Smith, an only child, is just fourteen years old when both of her charismatic parents are diagnosed with cancer. What follows is a coming-of-age story that is both heartbreaking and exhilarating. As Claire hurtles towards loss she throws herself at anything she thinks might help her cope with the weight of this harsh reality: boys, alcohol, traveling, and the anonymity of cities like New York and Los Angeles. By the time she is twenty-five years old both her parents are gone and Claire is very much alone in the world. Claire's story is less of a tragic tale and more of a remarkable lesson on how to overcome some of life's greatest hardships. Written with suspense and style, and bursting with love and adventure, The Rules of Inheritance vividly captures the deep grief and surprising light of a young woman forging ahead on a journey of loss that humbled, strengthened, and ultimately healed her."
Movies
My Girl
A Monster Calls
The Harry Potter series
TV Shows
Podcasts
Grief Out Loud
Relevant Episodes:
"Supporting Children & Teens in Grief" - Kevin R. Carter, LCSW (September 22nd, 2020)
"For the past three decades, Kevin Carter, LCSW, has worked as a clinician, administrator, and educator. He currently serves as the Clinical Director at the Uplift Center for Grieving Children in Philadelphia, PA. Kevin's work focuses on how grief and trauma affect youth, and particularly the African American children and families he works with. We discuss how the combination of COVID-19, protests against police brutality and racial violence, and the rising rates of homicide and gun violence in Philadelphia is impacting children and teens who are already carrying grief."
For: parents, caregivers, and supporters of children and teens who are grieving.
"Growing (Up) With Grief" - Kevin R. Carter, LCSW (September 22nd, 2020)
"What does it mean to grow and grow up with grief? Aliya, a recent high school graduate, spent the past three years reckoning both with her mother's death from cancer and the intricacies of their relationship. As Aliya confronted the more painful aspects of their connection, she created space for remembering the other parts -the ones that were loving and joyful. As Aliya heads off to college this fall, she does so with a new confidence in her ability to navigate the ways her grief continues to unfold."
For: Grieving teens and those who support them.
"Teenage Grief Sucks" - Natalie Adams (June 11th, 2020)
When Natalie's dad died suddenly at the start of her freshman year of high school, she searched, but couldn't find what she most needed: a resource written for and by other grieving teens. So, she decided to create one. In March of 2020, Natalie launched the website Teenage Grief Sucks which serves as a platform for articles ranging from what it's like to go to driving school when you're grieving to tips for how teens can support their grieving friends.
"Suffocated Grief & Supporting Black Youth" - Dr. Tashel Bordere (April 10th, 2020)
Dr. Tashel Bordere has spent years researching the grief experience of black youth affected by homicide and gun violence. While many grieving people can relate to their grief being disregarded, for black youth and youth with marginalized identities, their grief not only goes unacknowledged, but is often penalized. Their behaviors and reactions, which are normal responses to grief, are met not with support and understanding, but with negative labels and punishment. This results in a concept Dr. Bordere has identified as suffocated grief and is rooted in systems of oppression and discrimination.
Organizations
National Alliance for Children's Grief
An online tool brought to you by Winston’s Wish that offers advice and tips on coping with grief, resources and reading lists. It aims to help young people who have experienced the death of a loved one come to terms with their loss. Also offers a live chat service and hotline, Winston’s Wish Crisis Messenger text service is available 24/7 – text WW to 85258.
Support Groups
National Alliance for Children's Grief
-Search for grief programs by location
-Find support groups in your area