What is complicated grief?
Complicated grief is a term used to describe a prolonged sense of mourning whereby the child/youth may be unable to process through the typical grief stages.
Signs which may indicate a complicated grief response include changes in child/youth’s usual behaviour such as: school refusal/truancy, decrease in school performance, extreme anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, communication difficulties, eating/sleeping problems, aggressive behaviour, and complete absence of grief or distancing themselves from peers. Other potential risk factors that may lead to a child/youth experiencing complicated grief include: sudden, traumatic or violent death of a loved one, previous multiple losses and/or if deceased person was neglectful or abusive to the child/youth, extended family conflict and inadequate support from their social support network.
We recognise that children/ youth suffering with complicated grief require unique supports to enable them to transition and resolve their mourning difficulties. As such we offer a range of therapy options to best meet the interests and/or strengths of children and young people. We also work collaboratively or in conjunction with other specialist children/ adolescence services.
For referral to our program please phone our program coordinator, Karen Bolger,
on (03) 95953402 or email. The program is currently available to children and young people up to the age of 18 years old in Melbourne’s Southern Metropolitan region.
Research:
The team at Creative Connections is committed to contributing to the body of literature and research surrounding bereaved youths.
Initial results from program evaluations indicate that the Creative Connections program has been successful in reducing adverse outcomes associated with complicated grief. The results also highlighted the need to further investigate the feasibility of a statewide bereavement service for children and young people that is supported by clinical research.