ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on what is needed by adolescents struggling with loss, grief, and trauma. It includes consistent contact and connection with and support from the people involved in their lives such as parents and extended family members, friends and peers, teachers and other school personnel, neighbors, other caring adults, and the larger community. The chapter explores the difficulty many adolescents face in talking with people about their loss, grief, and trauma experiences, and the expectations they have of their parents and other adults during this important time. The majority of adolescents both need and desire a strong familial support system that involves consistent contact and connection among members. The necessity and desire of time spent with friends and peers examines as a healthy component of coping through loss, grief, and trauma. Additionally, the importance and benefits of adolescents receiving appropriate psycho-education and information about loss, grief, and trauma is explored.
