Youth Voice Day of Learning Recap Honoring Children’s Grief Awareness Month

Dr. Donna Schuurman, Sr. Director of Advocacy & Training at Dougy Center, began the day of learning by sharing a dozen “lessons learned” through her work at Dougy Center. Dr. Schuurman’s presentation examined the lived experiences of children as young as three through early adulthood along with their parents or adult caregivers as they grieve the death of family member or friend. The “takeways” in Dr. Schuurman’s presentation are relevant to anyone wanting to better understand and support those who are grieving. 

In her presentation, Dr. Michaeleen (Micki) Burns, Clinical Director at Judi’s House, shared preliminary data from the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) which indicates 7.7% of U.S. youth – more than 5.6 million – will experience the death of a sibling or parent by age 18 – an astounding increase driven by pandemic-related losses. Dr. Burns noted that the death of a significant attachment figure places children at increased risk for emotional, relational, behavioral, and academic problems, as well as earlier mortality. Unaddressed childhood bereavement can contribute to a litany of adverse outcomes as youth move along the developmental continuum. Positively, Dr. Burns also highlighted protective factors, such as positive role models, healthy coping skills, peer support, and encouraging educators and caring adults can provide the scaffolding bereaved youth need to heal. 

In her presentation, Dr. Tashel Bordere, Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies and State Extension Specialist in Youth Development at the University of Missouri, Columbia, addressed culture and inequities in loss and service provisions to youth and families occupying marginalized identity statuses. Drawing from research and case examples, Dr. Bordere described ways in which loss and grief processes are uniquely complicated for socially disadvantaged youth and often involve patterns of suffocated grief. Dr. Bordere also discussed culturally conscientious and responsive strategies and practices with youth and families.

In this panel discussion, representatives from the New York City Department of Education (Tamara Mair and Michelle Patterson) and the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement (Dr. David J. Schonfeld) highlighted their partnership to support students and staff experiencing grief and loss through the New York Life Foundation’s Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative. The panelists shared approaches and techniques schools and districts can implement as they strive to become more grief sensitive. 

This panel discussion focused on the impact of grief beyond a single “news cycle.” Representatives from COVID Collaborative (Dr. Catherine Jaynes), Judi’s House (Dr. Micki Burns), and Tuesday’s Children (Sallie Lynch) discussed how to infuse grief support across sectors where we can most effectively help those in need. The panel called attention to the negative impacts of “inaction” and highlighted what we as a community can do to move beyond just “awareness” and toward meaningful actions. 

The “Youth Voice” event concluded with a panel of three young adults from our partner organizations. Sam Adams (Eluna), Reid Orlando (Tuesday’s Children), and Rob Pycoir (Tuesday’s Children) shared their personal experiences of grief after experiencing the death of an important person in their lives. In addition to sharing their personal experiences, the young adults called attention to ways the community can support others who may be grieving.