Registered Charity #118803667RR0001
SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN & TEENS
The death of a parent, sibling, grandparent, or someone close can be devastating for children and teens of all ages. Children experience a range of intense emotions including: sadness, anger, fear, and guilt. They often feel isolated and unable to talk about the death with peers who have not had a similar experience. They may also be reluctant to share their grief with surviving family members for fear of upsetting them. Too often, children end up grieving alone and don't have the tools or language to get support.
GRIEF, YOUTH & MENTAL HEALTH WEBINAR
​What to Expect - Children and Teens (ages 6-17):​
We offer up to 12 one-to-one sessions per person, per year, each lasting 30 minutes, scheduled on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
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These sessions are unstructured and open-conversation based, allowing children and teens to bring forward whatever feels most important to them in relation to their grief. This may include memories, emotions, questions, or day-to-day experiences of loss. Sessions are designed to be supportive and flexible, meeting each young person where they are in their grief.
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Our child and youth sessions are grounded in a peer-informed approach, where Peer Supporters may, when appropriate, gently self-disclose aspects of lived experience with loss to support connection, normalization, and reduced isolation.
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At this time, if a child or teen requires additional support after completing their 12 sessions, they are invited to join our waitlist for the next available set of sessions within the same year, as we currently do not offer ongoing group programming for children and youth. Please check back at a later date for updates on whether groups for children or youth will be offered.​
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT SESSIONS
(AGES 6+)
How Sessions Are Held:
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For individuals 13 years and older, sessions are held over the phone by default, with Zoom available upon request where resources allow.
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For individuals under 13 years of age, sessions are typically held over Zoom, with phone-based support available upon request.
​Please call 905-848-4337 or email info@bereavedfamilies.ca to leave us with your contact information and we will be in touch within 10 business days. You may also complete an online intake by visiting our intake form.
If you are filling an intake out on behalf of someone below the age of 16, please complete our "Minor Grief Support Form" on our intake page (with their information and relationship to the deceased). Referrals from professionals and family members can be made on behalf of youth, however, consent from those 16+ must be provided.