Helping with grief

Bereavement is a distressing but common experience, and the death of someone following meningitis is always traumatic and painful.  It can be difficult to know how to help children, particularly at a time when you may be dealing with your own difficult feelings after a death. It is important to recognise that children grieve too, however their understanding of death will vary depending on their age, and grieving may impact on their behaviour.

Young children may need to feel close to you, becoming clingy and hesitant when you leave them. Their emotions and behaviour may change from one minute to the next - upset one minute and then busy playing the next. All of this is normal, and each child will react, behave and experience grief in a way unique to them.  Listen to any questions they might have and offer clear explanations, using simple, accurate language rather than euphemisms such as “passed away” which can be misunderstood.

For teenagers, grief may add to what is already a confusing stage. It is important to allow teenagers space, whilst acknowledging the death at the same time. It may be easier for them to talk about it to their friends at first. However, do keep talking to them. It may be easier to communicate by leaving notes, or by sending them a text message. Although they may not respond at the time, this will be appreciated in the long term. Sometimes it is just too hard to talk.

If you or your child are looking for support following a death from meningitis, we can help in many ways, including providing a professional counselling service. 

You can download our Meningitis bereavement information leaflet here, and if you need more information or you have any questions please call our 24 hour nurse-led helpline 

or

 Your child may want to call our helpline for under 16's