0145 - Grieving Children and Youth
Course Description
Hours: 12
The dying and death of a family member or loved one has complex, profound and lasting effects for children and youth. Fearing that children were "too young" to understand or to cope with death, adults have often tried to protect them from the devastating, yet unavoidable and natural, experience of grief. Growing recognition of young people’s capacities, needs, and rights has highlighted the importance of, and opportunities for support from parents, professionals and community members, through open communication, inclusion, and engagement to nurture children and young people’s wellbeing and belonging amidst adversity.
This interactive workshop will explore relevant theories, research, clinical implications and concrete strategies for supporting young people from infancy through adolescence, who are facing their own death or that of a family member or other important person in their lives. Knowledge and strategies will be relevant to adults who are parents or caregivers, educators, health or mental health professionals, volunteers and other community members. Discussions will also explore how various concepts and strategies may be transferrable to children grieving non-death losses.
Participants in this interactive workshop will:
- Develop a foundation of knowledge about children and young people’s perceptions, and capacities to understand dying and death.
- Examine common and unique elements of grief in relation to child and adolescent development.
- Explore effective communication strategies and the implications of language in discussions about illness, dying, death and grief with children and youth.
- Reflect on the complexities, necessary sensitivities and flexibility in working with various family members, structures and dynamics in support of grieving children and adolescents.
- Engage in hands-on creative activities to encourage legacy and continuing bonds, remembering, emotional literacy and expression, caregiving and self-care with young people of all ages.
Notes
Time Zone: All listed class times are held in ET (Ontario, Canada)
For more information contact the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development office:
Email: fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca
Phone: 548-889-5128
Cancellations and Transfers
Be sure to carefully review our cancellation and transfer information before registering.
Website: wlu.ca/fswpd
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Child and Youth Mental Health Certificate : Child and Youth Mental Health Certificate
- Death, Dying and Bereavement Certificate : Death, Dying and Bereavement Certificate