Virtual group – Living with Grief Youth program (Summer 2022 Session)

The death of loved one is both heartbreaking and life-changing. The Living with Grief Youth Program is a safe space for children and teens who are grieving the death of a loved one — a sibling, parent, grandparent, friend or any special person — to talk about their special person, and connect with others who have experienced a similar loss.

Each session focuses on a different grief topic. Children and teens will explore this topic through age-appropriate conversation, art, music, movement and creative interactions. Child life specialists and music therapists offer children and teens the opportunity to learn, explore and gain some understanding about a variety grief topics. Grief groups can be helpful to children and teens because it helps them see that they are not alone, that there are other kids just like them who are grieving.

The program is free of charge and open to all grieving children and teens in the greater community. Families do not have to be cared for at Children’s Minnesota to participate. Youth programming is for children and teens, kindergarten to senior year in high school.

Groups are held in three six-week sessions staggered throughout the calendar year. New participants are always welcomed, and participants may join any time within the six-week session. There are no attendance expectations or requirements.

The Summer Session will be held Tuesday evenings from May 24 – June 28.

Session topics:

Week 1: What is Grief?
Week 2: Identifying Changes
Week 3: Telling Your Story
Week 4: Memories
Week 5: Coping
Week 6: Finding Connections

Plans on meeting virtually or in-person for Summer and Fall Sessions will be subject to the pandemic status and distancing guidelines, and will be determined closer to their start dates.

The monthly parent/guardian/adult caregiver session is an opportunity to ask questions about how to support the grieving youth in your life, as well as learn about resources that may be helpful to your family. Come prepared with a question about your grieving child or teen, or listen to the questions asked by other parents/guardians/adult caregivers.