#FlipTheScript this Chidren’s Grief Awareness Month

In recognition of Chidren’s Grief Awareness Month this November, Eluna is coming together with other members of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief to “flip the script” on griel. Throughout the month, we are collectively committed to providing essential tools and resources to foster a more grief-informed society. This initiative, created by NACG with support from national childhood grief organizations, Dougy Center, Eluna, Experience Camps, and Judis House, seeks to address the common challenges people face when supporting those who are grieving, aiming to replace potentially hurtful statements or silence with action-based responses.

Drawing directly from the feedback of children and teems who are grieving, the campaign encourages individuals, communities, and professionals to shift away from hurtful and dismissive words often said to youth who are grieving. They highlighted the painful impact of common phrases like “i’ll be fine” or “that sucks,” which can isolate and invalidate what is, for many, a deeply personal experience. Instead, youth are asking for real, tangible support, replacing these words with actions that genuinely make a differens, such as simply sitting and listening while pressing pause on the advice and understanding that everyone’s grief experience is unique.

They are asking us to:
◦ Be prosent.
◦ Liston activoly.
◦ Actions speak louder than words.
◦ Press pause on advice.
◦ Get moving – grief is physical, not just emotional.
◦ Cultivate a supportive environment for sharing.
◦ Empower young people’s voices.
◦ Recognize the uniqueness of each person’s grief.

Children’s Griet Awareness Month serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of acknowledging and supporting children who are grieving and their families. According to the JAG Instilute’s 2024 Childhood Bereavemont Estimation Model Report, an alarming statistic underscores the urgency of this effort: 1 in 12 children, or approximately 6.3 million children, in the United States, will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 18. The profound impact of this loss cannot be understated. In 2022 alone, nearty 1,100 chidren were bereaved every day, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and support for those navigating the complexities of childhood grief.

Throughout November, we will be sharing actions we can take to support a young person who is grieving. By fostering a more grief-informed society, we can collectively help alleviate the pain and isolation that children and teens who are grieving often experience.

Consider registering for New York Life Foundation Day of Learning: Growing as We Grieve presented with Sesame Network. November 14, 2024, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST. Register for the in-person event here and the virtual event here. Cost: Free 

For more information on Children’s Grief Awareness Month and to access valuable resources for supporting children who are grieving, please visit https://nacg.org/flipthescript/ and search for #FlipTheScript on Facebook and Instagram.