Grief Support for Children and Youth

Resources

This list gathers resources to support grieving children and youth, including: training modules, videos, podcasts, social media accounts, downloadable guides, and more. If you or your organization provide grief support to children and youth, and wish to be included, please send us a message to ucla.yacs@gmail.com.

For a downloadable version of this resource list click here.

Last updated: March 20, 2022

American Academy of Pediatrics
About: We’re 67​,000 pediatricians committed to the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults
Recommended Resource(s):
Supporting the Grieving Child and Family: Pediatric Mental Health Minute Series

Children and Libraries Journal
About: Children and Libraries (CAL) is the official journal of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association.
Recommended resource(s):
Grief in Picturebooks: An Evaluative Rubric by Lisa von Drasek 

The California Healthy Kids, Thriving Minds Project – Child Mind Institute
About: An evidence-based video series with accompanying study guides. It includes introductory videos for caregivers and educators, and videos to teach kids five clinically proven mental health skills: understanding feelings; relaxation skills; understanding thoughts; managing intense emotions; and mindfulness. 
Recommended Resource(s):
For Parents/caregiver: https://childmind.org/healthyminds/parents/
For Educators: https://childmind.org/healthyminds/educators /
For Students: https://childmind.org/healthyminds/students/
Español: https://childmind.org/es/mentessanas/

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement 
About: 
Recommended resource(s):The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement (NCSCB) at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is dedicated to supporting students through crisis and loss.
Covid-19 Pandemic Resources

Coalition To Support Grieving Students
About: The Coalition to Support Grieving Students is a unique collaboration of the leading professional organizations representing classroom educators, principals, administrators, student support personnel, and other school professionals who have come together with a common conviction: grieving students need the support and care of the school community. 
Recommended resource(s):
Tools to support grieving students (modules on conversation and support; development and cultural considerations; practical considerations; reactions and triggers; professional preparation and self care; and crisis and special circumstances)

Corazon Counseling, LCSW PMH-C
About: Instagram page dedicated to grief & loss support through the lifespan, @corazoncounseling.

Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families
About: Dougy Center provides support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and families who are grieving can share their experiences before and after a death. 
Recommended Resource(s):
Covid-19 Resources 
“Supporting Children & Teens When Someone Dies of Covid-19” “Cuando Tu Mundo Está Al Revés: Apoyando a Niños y Adolescentes Durante La Crisis de Salud Global de Covid-19” Recursos en Español
“Finding The Words When Someone in Your Community Dies of Covid-19”
Being Grief Informed
Activities for Kids and Teens 
Youngest Grievers (0-5 yrs)

First Book
About: First Book provides educators with the brand new, high-quality books, educational resources, and other essentials needed to remove the barriers to learning for kids in need from birth to age 18.
Recommended resource(s):
“Using Books to Support Students through Grief, Loss, and Healing” 
“Cómo Usar los Libros Para Apoyar a Los Estudiantes a Superar el Duelo, las Pérdidas y en la Sanación” 

Good Grief
About: At Good Grief, we provide unlimited and free support to children, teens, young adults, and families after the death of a mother, father, sister, or brother through peer support programs, education, and advocacy.
Recommended resource(s): 
Funerals in the time of a pandemic: a toolkit for children and families
Tips/Support

HealthyChildren.org 
About: Here you’ll find information regarding the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) many programs and activities, policies and guidelines, publications and other child health resources.
Recommended resource(s): 
How Children Understand Death and What You Should Say
Cómo Entienden los Niños la Muerte y Qué Debe Decir
Five Ways to Help Your Child Remember and Celebrate Loved Ones
Cinco Maneras para Ayudar a que su Hijo Recuerde y Celebre a Sus Seres Queridos
Childhood Grief: When to Seek Additional Help
El Duelo en la Infancia: Cuándo Buscar Ayuda Adicional

The Horn Book Magazine
About: The Horn Book Magazine is one of the most distinguished resources in the field of children’s and young adult literature Recommended resource(s):
What Makes a Good Picture Book About Loss by Tom Barthelmess 

Latinx Grief 
About: Instagram of Paulina I. Almarosa, MSW – grief education via storytelling, weaving grief and cultura, @latinxgrief.

Latinx Therapy
About: Tune in with Adriana Alejandre, LMFT to the weekly podcast that discusses mental health topics related to Latinas, Latinos and Latinx individuals in efforts to demystify myths and diagnoses.
Recommended resource(s):
Recuperando del Duelo con Adriana Alejandre and Paulina Isabel Almarosa, MSW
Grief and Loss in the Latinx community with Adriana Alejandre, LFMT and Paulina Isabel Almarosa, MSW.

Mourning Hope
About:The Mourning Hope Grief Center companions children, adults and families before and after a death loss. 
Recommended resource(s):
Community Grief Resources (includes a list for grief podcasts and grief social media) 
No Child Should Grieve Alone with Carly Woythaler-Runestad, TEDx Talks

National Alliance for Children’s Grief
About: The National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the needs of children and teens who are grieving a death and provides education and resources for anyone who supports them. 
Recommended resource(s):
“Responding to Grief Change and Loss: in support of children, teens, and families” 
“Respondiendo al Cambio y a la Pérdida: para el apoyo de niños, adolescentes, y familias”

New York Life Foundation
About: The Foundation strives to support young people, particularly in the areas of educational enhancement and childhood bereavement support.
Recommended resource(s):
“After a Loved One Dies – How children grieve and how parents and other adults can support them” 
“Después que Muere un Ser Querido– cómo enfrentan el duelo los niños y cómo sus padres y otros adultos los pueden ayudar” 

Orange County Library System 
Recommended resource(s): 
Guides: Coping with Grief

Our House Grief Support Center 
About: The OUR HOUSE mission is to provide the community with grief support services, education, resources, and hope. Recommended resource(s): 
Spanish speaking grievers: Páginas de duelo

Sesame Street in Communities
Recommended Resource(s):
Helping Kids Grieve
Video, storytime and activity: Something Small A Story About Remembering (Age 2-6)
Memory Boxes (Age 2-6)

Seymour, Gina
About: In typical librarian fashion I love to curate. I also love to make and create. And unfortunately I’m not immune to grief. I’ve gathered sources and ideas so that I could direct students and others to help themselves.
Recommended resource(s):
LibGuide, The Compassionate Maker: Grief and Bereavement Good Grief! Using Your School Makerspace for Compassion and Healing