Grief: Helping teens with grief

Key points

• Know what is normal for your teen's age group. As teens grow and develop, they change the way they think about and express grief. Although each teen is different, there are some expected changes in thinking that occur during the early, middle, and late teenage years.
• Listen and watch for opportunities. If you listen closely when a teen is talking and watch his or her behavior, you will find opportunities to help the teen who is grieving.
• Don't force a teen to talk about his or her feelings. If the teen feels comfortable with you and feels that you are willing to listen, he or she will talk when ready.
• Make time to listen to a teen who wants to talk. When a teen wants to talk, give him or her your undivided attention. This will let the teen know that he or she is important and that grieving is important.

 What's different about teens who are grieving?

 Why does a teen who is grieving need help?

 How can I help a teen who is grieving?

 Where to go from here

More information about the grieving process:

• Grief and Grieving

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