National Alliance for Children's Grief Members Unite for #FlipTheScript Campaign in Recognition of Children’s Grief Awareness Month, November 2024.
Albuquerque, NM – In recognition of Children's Grief Awareness Month this November, The Grief Center is coming together with other members of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) to 'Flip the Script' on grief. 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 Judi’s House, looks 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 young people who are grieving, the campaign encourages individuals, communities, and professionals to shift away from hurtful and dismissive words often said to young people who are grieving. They highlighted the painful impact of common phrases like “it’ll be fine” or “that sucks,” which can isolate and invalidate what is, for many, a deeply personal experience. Instead, the young people are asking for real, tangible support, replacing these words with actions that genuinely make a difference, 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 present. · Listen actively. · Remember 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 Grief 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 Institute’s 2024 Childhood Bereavement 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, nearly 1,100 children were bereaved every day, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and support for those navigating the complexities of childhood grief.
Debora Garrison, Executive Director of The Grief Center in Central New Mexico emphasized the significance of Children's Grief Awareness Month, stating, “New Mexico continues to be ranked 2nd in the nation for childhood bereavement with 1 in 7 children facing a death of a parent or sibling by their 18th birthday. This is approximately 63,000 children in our state. The Grief Center provides a safe and supportive, grief-informed space for children, teens and adults to heal.” “Our support groups are offered at no cost to our participants making them accessible to anyone grieving the death of someone important in their life,” adds Garrison “but we need the financial support to make this possible.”
Three fundraising events will take place locally in November to support The Grief Center’s vital programs. All details, plus the required flyer for the Chello Grill event can be found at www.griefnm.org/events.
• November 16, 2024: Yoga for a Cause, 1-2pm at Mi Vida Yoga
• November 18, 2024: M’tucci’s Twenty-Five Restaurant “Dine and Donate” event from 11 am – 10 pm
• November 21, 2024: Chello Grill Give-Back event.
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 #FlipThe-Script on Facebook and Instagram.