The death of a parent, sibling, or someone close can be devastating for children and teens of all ages. Children experience a range of intense emotions including sadness, anger, fear, and guilt. They often feel isolated and unable to talk about the death with peers who have not had a similar experience. They also may be reluctant to share their grief with surviving family members for fear of upsetting them. Too often, children end up grieving alone.
At Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, we understand that when a person dies, the journey for their loved ones is just beginning. Our licensed social workers and volunteers provide Northeast Georgia’s most comprehensive grief support services for individuals and families. We offer FREE grief support services for children and teens.
Services Offered
Camp Braveheart
Camp Braveheart is a day camp, provided at no cost, for children and youth who have experienced the death of a close friend or family member. Founded in 1995 by the Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, the Braveheart Program has provided grief support to over 1000 children via the camp experience and school-based support groups. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center is able to offer Camp Braveheart. The program is carefully designed to help children and youth learn to cope with the complicated emotions that arise from the death of a loved one.
School-Based Grief Support Groups
Bereavement counselors can lead a grief support group at your child’s school with a referral and help from a school counselor. Our counselors understand children’s natural resiliency and can help them navigate their feelings based on individual emotional and developmental needs. Group will meet during regular school hours, once per week for six weeks.
Hospice of NGMC offers school-based grief support groups upon request of the school counselor. Groups are designed to help students:
- Share their stories in a safe, supportive environment
- Learn how to define grief and understand that it is a normal response to loss
- Learn the importance of allowing themselves to remember their loved ones and experience the emotions associated with these memories
- Identify positive coping skills to deal with difficult emotions
- Identify who they can turn to for support
- Connect with other students who have experienced similar losses and learn that they are not alone
School Counselor Resources
Call 770-219-0276 or email griefsupport.hospice@nghs.com for more information.