Bella had a hard time dealing with the loss she experienced when her brother, Paul, passed away. “I was in shock for the first six months and didn’t accept my grief. I tried to push my feelings to the side but that wasn’t healthy at all.”
Bella joined the Teen Support Group from The Elizabeth Hospice, one of the free grief support services available to children and teens in our community. In Group, teens share their stories and thoughts, honor and memorialize their special person and learn healthy coping skills. They are surrounded by others who also have experienced the death of a loved one.
“I feel confident now. I’m not just the girl who lost her brother. I’m my own person. This is the path I was supposed to be on. My brother would be proud of me,” continued Bella.
1 in 5 children will experience the death of someone significant in their life before they reach age 18. Grieving children are at higher than normal risk for problems in school, substance abuse, depression and anxiety. But with support, they can rediscover hope and imagine a life full of possibilities.