The loss of a loved one is a difficult and profoundly impactful event. Grief may take months, even years, to fully run its course. No matter how well we deal with it, feelings of grief tend to linger the rest of our lives. While adults struggle to cope with grief, children are particularly vulnerable to its potential ill effects. Children are simply less well equipped to handle the loss of a loved one. With this in mind, the Hospice of Texarkana has created an event, called Good Grief Day, specifically to help children who are grieving.

Good Grief Day at Hospice of Texarkana

The event, planned for June 16, 2017, will host a variety of engaging activities designed to help children recognize signs of grief and teach them how to cope with these emotions in a healthy way. Grief takes many forms and may result from a variety of events. The death of a loved one is the primary cause, but other life events, such as divorce, a major move, or the absence of a parent due to military service or incarceration can all trigger feelings of grief. Children experiencing grief from any of these life events are welcome to the event.

“They’re here and they see that other children are kind of in the same boat they’re in. For kids that’s so important that they don’t feel like they stick out like a sore thumb, or feel like other children are not going through the same things they are,” said Amy Mohon, Hospice of Texarkana Director of Social Services, to local station KTBS.

Grief counseling is an important part of hospice.

When most people think of hospice, they think of the patient approaching their final days and moments. Hospices, however, also focus on the families of their patients. The loss of a loved one can be a deeply traumatizing event. Part of the prerogative of hospice is to help families cope with the loss of a loved one through counseling and follow up. Long after the patient has passed, hospices will continue to offer grief counseling to family members for whatever length of time it takes for them to learn how to cope with grief in a healthy way.

“My husband passed away 4 months ago and hospice still calls on me once a month,” a family member of a hospice patient told 1-800-HOSPICE™.

Hospices want to help the local community.

The focus on life is what makes hospice a truly special service. Many hospices, however, will admit that more needs to be done to focus on children. This is precisely what Hospice of Texarkana aims to accomplish through their Good Grief Day event. Grieving children require special attention. They need to know they are not alone and they need more help to cope with feelings of grief. Friday’s event expects around 25 participants to attend.

Hospices like the Hospice of Texarkana have a vested interest in helping their community. That’s why Friday’s event will be entirely free. It is a public service to help the local community. They are not alone. Hospices across the country regularly host community events to raise awareness for hospice and to improve the lives of the men and women who live and work in their communities.