Supporting your child’s mental health through bereavement.

This week is Children’s Mental Health week and the theme for this year is ‘Let’s connect’, encouraging people to connect with others in a healthy, rewarding and meaningful way. Connections with others and our wider community are vital for our wellbeing.

The wellbeing of a child or young person who is experiencing the death of a loved one or has been bereaved is a key concern of the families that we support.

As a parent/carer you know your child/children best, but the here’s some guidance for you to consider:

• It is good to talk and to give your child/children the opportunity to ask questions.
• Children and young people pick up on the emotions of others, and so it is important to be honest and open with them in an age appropriate way.
• Share how you deal with difficult emotions and what you do to look after yourself.
• It is good to be curious about your child/children’s emotions and explore with them how they are feeling and coping. For example, this could be via text, email, on a car journey or through leaving notes.
• Keep listening.
• Spend time together – doing something can help them show their feelings without words.

Websites you may find helpful