Young people experience physical and emotional reactions to grief differently than adults. Being in a support group with others their own age helps them know they are not alone.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hope Hospice has implemented the following temporary changes to our grief support services for youth.
Young people experience physical and emotional reactions to loss, and they grieve differently than adults. Being in a support group with others their own age who have also lost someone important to them helps them know they are not alone.
Hope uses a peer-based support model that relies on sharing among children with similar experiences. Our grief support groups help children and teens understand their emotions and learn healthy coping skills. Through these groups, they have an opportunity to engage in age-appropriate activities that help them process their feelings. Each group is led by facilitators who have special training in working with children and teens.
Consistent attendance is recommended to foster camaraderie and trust, but a specific start date is not mandatory. Each session is 90 minutes in length.
Next session: Please contact the Grief Support Department to discuss upcoming dates. A brief assessment is needed prior to enrollment. Call (925) 829-8770 on weekdays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
While the children and teens attend their support groups, parents and guardians attend separate parallel sessions that provide insights on child grief and to receive support through their own grieving process as well.
When it comes to grief and loss, we believe:
Each child grieves differently. Our grief staff will assess your child or teen and suggest the best group or program for his or her specific situation.
Hope’s support groups for youth run for eight-week sessions throughout the year. Parents/guardians will join their child or teen for meetings one and eight. For meetings two through seven, youth attend their group while parents/guardians attend a parallel support group. When a family is enrolled, we expect regular attendance. Continuity is important to building a peer group into a supportive environment for the grief work. Please call ahead if you and your child will be absent.
Hope provides private sessions to families whose loved one was on our hospice service, and a limited number of such sessions to the public. If your needs surpass the service we can provide, we can refer you to professionals in the area for private therapy.
There is no fee for our grief support services. If you find our services have been a great value to you, we warmly accept donations to Hope Hospice, which help offset the cost of running the program.
