Grief can feel overwhelming and debilitating for anyone, but for a child or teen, it can be especially difficult to understand and process. On International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, Western Youth Services honors the resilience of youth who have lost someone to suicide and the adults who are helping them navigate it. Giving a grieving child the support they need requires patience, empathy, and gentle consistency. Continue reading this post to learn more about practical ways to help young people cope, honor their loved ones, and find hope in healing.
Understanding Youth Grief and Its Impact
The statistics are quite eye-opening. Among youth ages 10 to 24 in the United States, the suicide rate rose from 6.8 to 11.0 per 100,000 between 2007 and 2021, an increase of 62 percent. For high school students aged 14 to 18, suicide was the third leading cause of death in 2021, accounting for nearly one in five deaths. (cdc.gov)
These numbers show just how important it is for children and teens to have safe spaces and real support when experiencing unimaginable pain. Feeling heard and supported can make a world of difference in how they move through grief.
Recognizing What Grief Can Look Like
Youth face grief in many different and unexpected ways. Some might cry or begin to isolate, while others may appear angry, restless, or even seemingly unaffected. They might not have the words to explain what they are feeling, and that is okay. A great way to encourage open conversations during situations like this is by gently naming emotions: “You might be feeling sad, confused, or even mad. All of that makes sense.”
Let them know there is no right way to grieve. Emotions are like an ocean. They come in waves, and those waves can look different every day. What matters most is that they feel safe enough to express themselves and know that you are there, no matter what.
How Adults Can Offer Support
At Western Youth Services, our programs are designed to help young people process big emotions in both healthy and creative ways. We offer peer groups and one on one sessions that can connect youth with people who have undergone and understand their experience. We also have workshops in art, writing, or movement which can give them new ways to express what might be hard to say out loud.
As an adult, you can prompt participation in programs like these or simply make an intentional space at home for creativity and connection. Outside resources such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Trevor Project also provide helpful guidance and support, especially for LGBTQ youth who may be navigating grief alongside identity challenges.
If a child ever shares thoughts of hopelessness or self harm, it is essential to seek out help immediately. Calling or texting the crisis line at 988 puts you and the child in contact with confidential crisis assistance available 24 hours a day.
Helping Children Honor Loved Ones
Finding ways to remember the individual they have lost can be incredibly healing and comforting for young people. These ideas can transform pain into connection and memory into meaning. Here are some gentle and age appropriate ways to help a child or teen honor the person they lost:
- Draw or paint something that reminds them of their loved one
- Write letters, poems, or short stories about memories they shared
- Curate a playlist of songs that bring comfort, connection and remembrance
- Plant flowers or a small tree as a living tribute
- Make a memory box filled with photos, keepsakes, or small treasures
- Spend time doing an activity their loved one enjoyed
These activities aid children in expressing their emotions in healthier ways while simultaneously giving them a sense of continued connection.
Encouraging Healthy Coping
Children often pick up emotional cues from the adults that surround them. Modeling self care and encouraging it teaches them that healing takes time and intention. Short walks, breathing exercises, journaling, or quiet check ins at bedtime can help them regulate their emotions and feel grounded.
Remind them that it is okay to find moments of joy again. Grief and happiness can coincide. Healing does not mean forgetting. It means learning how to carry love and loss side by side.
Losing someone to suicide can leave deep and lasting grief, but it can also open the door to compassion, resilience, and connection. With patient guidance, children can learn that they do not have to face their pain alone.
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