We are supporting Children’ Mental Health Week. read our guidance on supporting children and young people through grief.
Children’s Mental Health Week: Supporting Children and Young People Through Grief
27th January 2026
This Is My Place
Children’s Mental Health Week is an opportunity to focus on the emotional wellbeing of children and young people, and to reflect on how we can better support them through life’s challenges. This year’s theme, “This Is My Place”, highlights the importance of belonging, safety, and feeling understood – all of which are especially important for children who are grieving.
For a child experiencing bereavement, finding their “place” in the world can feel uncertain. Grief can affect how safe they feel, how they relate to others, and how they understand themselves. By recognising this, we can help children feel supported, valued, and less alone.
Grief and the Need for a Safe Emotional Place
Grief can leave children feeling unsettled or disconnected. They may feel different from their peers, unsure where they fit, or reluctant to share how they’re feeling. Creating a sense of emotional safety – a place where children feel accepted just as they are – can be a powerful source of comfort.
“This Is My Place” reminds us that children need spaces where:
- their feelings are taken seriously
- their grief is not rushed or dismissed
- they feel listened to, even when they struggle to find words
A supportive environment can help children begin to make sense of their loss in their own time.
How Grief Can Affect Children and Young People
Children and young people often experience grief differently from adults. Their understanding of death changes as they grow, and their feelings may come and go unexpectedly.
You might notice:
- changes in behaviour, confidence, or mood
- difficulty concentrating or engaging at school
- withdrawal from friends or activities
- physical symptoms such as tiredness or aches
- increased anxiety, anger, or emotional outbursts
These responses are common and do not mean a child is “not coping”. They are often signs that a child is processing something very complex.
Supporting a Grieving Child: Practical Guidance
1. Help Them Feel Safe to Be Themselves
Children benefit from knowing there is a place where they can be honest about how they feel — even if those feelings are confusing or contradictory. Let them know they don’t have to hide their emotions or protect others.
Gentle reassurance such as:
- “You can talk here if you want to.”
- “However you feel is okay.”
can help children feel emotionally safe.
2. Use Clear and Honest Language
Children cope best when they are given truthful, age-appropriate explanations. Avoiding the subject can increase anxiety or lead children to fill in gaps with their own fears. Being open helps children feel included and respected.
3. Acknowledge That Feelings Can Change
Grief is not constant. Children may move between sadness, anger, playfulness, and calm – sometimes all in the same day. Letting children know this is normal can reduce feelings of guilt or confusion.
4. Maintain Familiar Routines
Routine can provide a sense of stability at a time when everything else feels uncertain. Familiar daily patterns can help children feel grounded, even while they are grieving.
5. Offer Different Ways to Express Feelings
Some children find it easier to express grief through play, creativity, or physical activity rather than conversation. Drawing, storytelling, memory boxes, or quiet time can all help children process emotions in a way that feels right for them.
“This Is My Place”: Belonging After Loss
For a grieving child, feeling that they still belong – at home, at school, and in their community – is vital. “This Is My Place” encourages us to think about how we show children that they matter, even when life has changed.
Supportive actions might include:
- checking in regularly without pressure
- recognising significant dates or memories
- giving children choices and a sense of control
- reminding them they are not alone in their grief
Small, consistent gestures can help children rebuild a sense of security and belonging.
When Additional Support May Be Needed
Grief is a natural response to loss, but some children and young people may need extra help to navigate their feelings. If grief feels overwhelming, long-lasting, or begins to affect daily life, bereavement counselling and emotional support can provide a safe, dedicated space to explore emotions and develop coping strategies.
At KEMP Hospice we provide bereavement counselling for young people and emotional support for children who are living with grief. You do not need an existing to KEMP Hospice to access bereavement support. Find out more about the free-of-charge services we can provide or how you can make a referral.