Children and young people may often seem unconcerned, playing or doing their usual activities, so adults sometimes assume they are not properly aware of the death, or affected by it. This isn’t necessarily true, as children and young people deal with grief in their own way. Coping with grief is an ongoing process, which can show up in different ways at different times.

Children and young people tend to grieve in bursts, and at other times look for reassurance and comfort in their normal routines and activities. They may also experience difficult feelings and/or suicidal thoughts themselves.

Bereaved children and young people need ongoing attention, reassurance and support. Grief can resurface later on as they move through different life milestones, and develop as individuals. It may help to find a counsellor or other support person they can talk to. For more information on if a young person has discovered or witnessed a suicide, click here (and scroll to the bottom of the page).