Ongoing design and publication of this site is completed by Shane R. Jimerson and Jeff R. Klein.
Please forward comments regarding this site to Shane R. Jimerson.
This page was last updated 3.9.98.  © 1998

Directed by Shane R. Jimerson

Death is a natural part of life
At Project LOSS we accept that everything alive today will die eventually.  Thus, we engage in activities aimed at facilitating healthy grieving.  Our mission is to better understand grief and transitions of children and families following a loss.  Through our understanding we are dedicated to providing developmentally appropriate support services for children and families.
 
Children Grieve TOO
Despite efforts to protect our children, we must accept that they are likely to experience a significant early loss.  Moreover, we must acknowledge that children grieve too.  Project LOSS explores the grief and transitions that children experience following a loss.  Current efforts have focused on children and adolescents ranging in age from 8 to 18 years.  Cognitive, social, emotional, biological, familial, cultural, and contextual factors impact a child's response to the loss of a loved one.  Children grieve in many different ways and the expression of grief will change across development.

Common behaviors and feelings in response to a loss
  denial
  panic
  anger
  sadness
  guilt
  regression
  anxiety
  clinging
  preoccupation
  depression
  inattention
  withdrawal
  aggression
  hyperactivity
  repression of feelings
 
Acknowledging and responding to these behaviors and feelings will facilitate healthy transitions following a loss.  There is life after loss.
 
Grief as a family process
Loss impacts the family system.  As a part of this system, children will learn about grief through observing, listening, and talking to their family members.  It is important that children understand that it is okay to be sad, mad, or happy and it is okay to talk about these feelings.  If the family does not talk about the death, feelings, or grieve in a healthy way, it is not likely that the children will.  Grief is a family process. Furthermore, grief does not end after a specific amount of time.  It is normal for feelings to emerge years after the loss.
 
 
 

If you need

* Additional Information  About Project LOSS
* Workshops Focusing on Children and Loss
* Presentations Focusing on Children, Families, Loss, & Grief
* Assistance Locating an Appropriate Group for  Adults or Children
* Assistance Establishing a Children's Support Group
* Collaboration to Better Understand Children's Grief and Transitions Following a Loss

Office # (805) 893-3366
Fax # (805) 893-7264
E-Mail Jimerson@education.ucsb.edu
WWW jimerson
 
 

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