COLUMBIA, S.C. — Dealing with the loss of a loved one is hard, especially for children. Young ones may experience confusion or have difficulty coping with their emotions and grief after the death of a parent or sibling.
If you or someone you know have a child between the ages of 5 and 18 who is trying to deal with the loss of a loved one, Prisma Health Children's Hospital-Midlands is offering its Healing Hearts Grief Program, where children can begin the journey of processing their grief. Through the program, children connect with their peers, allowing them to express their emotions safely and in a comfortable environment. They are provided the tools and resources to grieve properly through therapeutic activities as they navigate their losses.
Classes are held once a month at Prisma Health Children's Hospital-Midlands, 7 Richland Medical Park Dr. Each class focuses on a different topic -- emotions, memories, coping skills and changes -- with children and parents/caregivers meeting in separate spaces. Parents/caregivers will cover the same topics as their children so that the grief processing can continue at home.
All programs are free, and dinner will be provided. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m., and classes run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Classes are scheduled for the following Thursday evenings:
- Jan. 25
- Feb. 29
- March 28
- April 25
For more information or to register, contact Christy Fink at Christine.Fink@PrismaHealth.org at 803-434-5658.
