Grief and Loss Groups for Youth

  Date

(Tuesdays, Sept. 11-Oct. 23)

Contact

To register, call Heidi Robbins or Lena Freed at 802-479-4083.

Referrals for all ages welcome anytime.
Medicaid and most insurance will cover this group.

Please note: These groups are offered by Washington County Mental Health Services and do not meet at the hospital (see location information at left).

Sign up is always open for 6-week groups for youth ages 6-18 who have experienced the loss of an important relationship due to separation, death, foster care, or other circumstance. Participants connect with peers, play games, share snack, and do crafts in a safe and supportive environment. These activities are designed to help youth learn about grief as well as develop and strengthen skills for managing thoughts and feelings associated with loss.

6-week group cycles have rolling admission and start dates are announced when groups have enough participants. A follow-up caregiver session is offered to review what was done in the group, and to provide additional information about how to continue supporting young people with grief and loss.

Medicaid and most insurance will cover these groups. Referrals for all ages are welcome anytime and alternative supports are available.

Please note: Individual and parenting grief-related supports are also available on an ongoing basis. Call Heidi Robbins or Lena Freed at 802-479-4083 for a consultation about how the WCMHS Grief and Loss Program can help support your family’s recovery from the loss of a loved one.

Groups provide youth ages 6-18 with the opportunity to:

  • Build connections with peers who have experienced the loss of a loved one due to death or other circumstances
  • Learn and share ideas about the concept of grief and how it can impact daily life
  • Develop coping skills to manage reactions to grief and loss
  • Connect with peers in a supportive environment to work towards growth and healing

Who is invited?

  • Any youth age 6-18 who has experienced  the death or loss of a loved one
  • Any youth who is tired of feeling isolated by the pain of loss
  • Any youth who is coping with changes as a result of the significant loss

What do we do?

  • Talk and use creative ways to express how the feelings of grief and loss affect our lives, and how we can learn to cope with that grief
  • Share related experiences of grief and loss other than death through structured activities
  • Explore effects of grief such as reactions of others, anger, moodiness, crying, family transitions, and any other topic that is important to you
  • Eat, drink, and socialize

Why come to a grief & loss group?

  • To learn about grief and loss and how cope with the confusing and overwhelming feelings that come after experiencing a death or loss or a loved one
  • To connect with peers with similar challenges, problems, concerns, and adjustments related to death, grieving and loss
  • To learn to relax, gain energy, release bottled up feelings, and move toward a better balance in life

What do we offer for parents and caregivers?

  • Individual meetings to provide information and support around each family’s unique grief process
  • A group follow-up meeting for parents of participants to explain group activities and provide additional support for families