can’t understand how long grief can and will affect someone. When you are able to acknowledge that the person you love is gone, you can begin to heal. This is difficult to do. You may still have feelings of loneliness, sadness, or anger, but you also continue to participate in the activities you once enjoyed. Getting involved in those
normal activities and enjoying them doesn’t mean that you are forgetting about your loved one or that you no longer miss that person. Staying sad for long periods doesn’t measure the love you have for the
Remember, it’s okay to laugh and have good days, too.
person who died. There will be good days and bad days. With time and the love and support of others, you can work through your grief and move forward with your life.
How to Deal with Grief
It’s difficult to know what to do to help a teen who is struggling with grief. It’s already difficult for them as they grow through their teen years, but adding grief to the process makes it even more difficult. They may or may not want to engage with you, or may choose peers or other adults to talk to. Often, they will want to be treated more like an equal in terms of respect and space, than a child. Sometimes teens will take a break from grieving and shut off emotions, only to pick them back up again later. Sometimes they will want to shield their caregivers from the pain they are experiencing, especially if their caregivers are grieving as well. They may not know how to express what it is they are feeling. Space is important to teens; it’s great to check in with them but try not to bombard them constantly by asking how they are doing.
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