New bereavement books helping children through grief

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is using the power of reading to bring comfort to children coping with the loss of a loved one.

A new selection of sensitive and supportive books are now available in Antrim Area Hospital and Causeway Hospital for families to use as they navigate grief and bereavement.

The initiative has been made possible by the support of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Organ Donation Committee, following a suggestion from staff in the Emergency Departments (ED) and Intensive Care Units (ICU).

Explaining more, Organ Donation Specialist Nurse Jacqueline Heasley said: “We know from experience that life is unpredictable and circumstances can change, often very suddenly and with no time to plan or prepare. For those left behind, death and bereavement can be hugely distressing, and in particular, the prospect of losing a family member or someone they know and love can be very difficult for children to understand and come to terms with.

“Staff recognised a need for age-appropriate bereavement resources and we hope our new books will go some way to helping families at what can be a traumatic time.

“The stories have all been carefully selected to ensure they are suitable for different age groups and they provide clear, compassionate explanations about death and loss.

“The books are now available in Emergency Departments and Intensive Care Units at both Antrim Area Hospital and Causeway Hospital, and we are very grateful to the Organ Donation Committee for choosing to support our work in this way.”

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Welcoming the initiative, Janet Gray, Chair of the Trust’s Organ Donation Committee, said: “This gesture represents a meaningful step towards comprehensive family support in critical care settings.  

“We are committed to providing holistic care to those who are grieving, and we want to ensure that children and families receive the emotional tools they need during what can be some of life’s most challenging moments

“For children, the books provide language and illustrations that will help them to understand and process grief, reducing confusion and anxiety while for parents and caregivers, they offer practical advice on how to talk about death with children, fostering open communication which is so important.”