Support yourself
When adolescents experience a death, their parents, caregivers, relatives and teachers are often concerned about how best to support and meet their needs. Adolescents express and process grief in a variety of ways depending on their age, personality, past experience of loss, support systems, and the context of the bereavement.
This information sheet is designed to help parents, caregivers, relatives and teachers to understand and support adolescents to navigate their grief experience. We also have information sheets to how to help children under five-years-old, and 6-12 years old coping with death, dying and grief.
Common grief responses in adolescents
Adolescents, like adults, will vary in their responses to death and dying; however, there are some common reactions that may affect them. These include:
shock and disbelief that the person has died
sadness that the person has gone
difficulty concentrating or remembering things
reluctance to go to school
disruptive behaviours/frequent fighting
non-compliance to requests
hyperactivity
increased need for attention
issues of abandonment, insecurity and safety concerns
fear, guilt, relief, anger, rage, regret, confusion
concern about being treated differently
change in values, questioning what’s important
preoccupation with death, wanting details
a need for checking in on surviving parents, siblings, extended family, friends, etc.
changes in relationships and family roles
wanting to be physically close to safe adults
changes to sleep patterns and appetite
headaches, tiredness, muscle aches and nausea
anxiety about the future.
Causes for concern
Be aware of signs that indicate an adolescent is not coping and seek professional support where the following is evident:
hopelessness, depression, intense sadness
dramatic changes in personality
antisocial or violent behaviours
excessive guilt or self-blame related to the death
risk taking or behaving dangerously
inappropriate sexual behaviour
breaking the law or illegal behaviour
excessive gaming
drug and alcohol abuse
prolonged sleep and/or eating problems
extended withdrawal or isolation from family and/ or friends
reoccurring thoughts of death
ongoing suicidal thoughts or evidence of self-harming behaviours.
Helping adolescents navigate their grief experience
Listen and talk with them
Adolescents need and want truth as much as adults. When they don’t get it they may lose trust with that adult and attempt to piece together information with peers, which can often be incorrect or embellished, resulting in worry and confusion. Try to be open, honest and consistent in your communications with them. Invite them to talk about the loss and respect their choice if they are not ready, but check in with them regularly in case they change their mind.
Provide safety and security
Adolescents often look to their peers for support when times are tough, so encourage and support them to connect with friends in a safe environment. Encourage their continued participation in enjoyable activities, such as sports or hobbies, and try to maintain routines as much as possible. Families are also very important in supporting a young person with their grief and can help young people to maintain a sense of security and feel safe.
Provide opportunities for expression, memorialisation and connection
Support and encourage them to gather stories and memories of the person who died, bringing them together in ways and activities that appeal to them, including:
writing journals
photos
creative artwork
music/dance
talking
blogs
memorials
tree planting
creative writing
joining a support group
starting a book of memories
bushwalking.
Allow for a range of responses to loss
Be aware that your own grieving style may look very different to that shown by the adolescent. Finding out how they express their grief and reassuring them that it’s okay to have different ways of grieving, will help them to feel more supported. Provide them with information about normal feelings associated with grief.
Provide support leading up to anniversaries and significant occasions
Help them to anticipate times that may be particularly difficult, (e.g. Christmas, birthdays or anniversaries) and develop a plan for coping with these periods. Try also to help them find meaning in what has happened and foster a sense of hope for the future.
n to provide support if you don’t first take care of yourself, both physically and emotionally. If you are struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether that be through family, friends or health professionals.
Seeking help
With good information, love and support, adolescents can learn to understand and work with their grief. It can be particularly challenging for families to support each other when a family member has died, because everyone will grieve in different ways, so seeking professional support might be helpful if you’re finding it difficult to support each other through a loss.
This content was produced in partnership with Grief Australia.