Healing Place-A Center for Loss and Change Inc

Grief and Children

 The death of a significant person in a child’s life is one of the most traumatic events that can occur in childhood. Without the right conditions for healing, children and teens carry these emotional wounds into the rest of their lives. We know that children who have had a loved one die are at risk. They are more likely than other children to experience 7 severe symptoms: 

• High levels of depression;
• An increase in health problems (difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, stomachaches, nausea, eating too little or eating too much); 
• Poor school performance;
• More anxiety and fear;
• Lower self-esteem;
• A destructive belief that all events in life are beyond their control;
• Less optimism about succeeding later in life.

The Healing Place Can Heal These Broken Hearts 

The Healing Place Grief support groups provide a safe haven for children to explore their overwhelming and often confusing feelings with others that understand because they are going through a grief process also. Becoming a member of an age appropriate grief support group allows children and teens a safe place to share with others and create friendships, which will lead to an increase in healthy behaviors instead of the harmful physical, emotional, and social effects that accompany untreated grief. 

 

Our Work At The Healing Place

• During the 2015/2016 school year, we served over 100 children and family members during evening support groups.
• The Healing Place provided grief support services at 45 schools in Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale counties during the 2015/2016 school year. During the 2015/2016 school year, we saw over 500 children and teens.
• In April 2016, over 90 campers and 100 community volunteers participated in the Healing Hearts Day Camp for children who have experienced the death of a loved one. 

 

A Story of a Healing Heart

"My time at The Healing Place has been great.  I brought my son and daughter here back in 2004 when they lost their grandfather.  The Healing Place helped them in a mighty way and me also.  This time I have been here because the little boy I have custody of lost his grandmother and while we were coming I lost my mom due to a car accident.  Mrs. Sarah has really helped out.  He was really shy at first, but now he gets in the group and listens and does good.  As for the adult groups, they are great.  Listening to each person talk and see how they were dealing with the same things you are dealing with.  It has helped me tremendously in the tragedy that I have gone through.  I tell everyone that's had a tragedy happen or a death of a loved one that The Healing Place is a great place to go.  I have enjoyed coming to The Healing Place and hope that it continues to be here."