Grief is something everyone will experience at some point, yet it often remains one of the most difficult topics to talk about.
By encouraging honest conversations, increasing understanding and reducing the stigma around grief, we can create environments where young people feel safe to ask for help and express their emotions without fear of being misunderstood.
For young people, loss can be particularly confusing. While adults may have developed ways to process difficult emotions, children, teenagers and young adults are still learning how to understand and express what they are feeling.
Whether the loss is sudden or expected, the death of a loved one is not the only experience that can trigger grief. Young people may also grieve the end of a friendship or relationship, changes within their family, moving home, losing a beloved pet, or even the loss of routines, opportunities or hopes for the future.
For anyone wanting to support a grieving young person, simply taking the time to listen, acknowledge loss and offer consistent support can have a lasting impact on their wellbeing.
Grief Looks Different For Everyone – But There Are Common Signs
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to grieve. Some people openly express sadness and talk about their feelings, while others may seem withdrawn, irritable or distracted. Some people can appear to be coping well at first, only to experience stronger emotions weeks or months later
Signs of grief can include:
- Changes in mood or behaviour
- Difficulty concentrating at school or college
- Increased anxiety or worry
- Changes in sleeping or eating habits
- Social withdrawal
- Anger or frustration
- Loss of motivation
- Physical symptoms such as headaches or fatigue
It’s important to remember that these reactions are often a normal response to loss rather than something that needs to be “fixed.”
Young People Can Experience Grief Differently
Everyone’s understanding of death and loss develops over time and this is especially true for young people.
Younger children may struggle to grasp the permanence of death, while teenagers and young adults are often balancing grief alongside important life transitions, friendships, education and developing independence.
Lots of people also worry about how their grief affects those around them. Some avoid talking about their emotions because they don’t want to upset their family or friends, while others may not have the words to explain what they are experiencing.
Creating opportunities for open, judgement-free conversations can help everyone – including younger people – feel less alone.
How Parents and Carers Can Offer Support to Grieving Young People
Supporting a grieving young person isn’t about having all the answers. Often, the most meaningful support comes from simply being present and allowing them to experience their emotions without pressure.
Some helpful approaches for supporting grieving young people include:
Listen More Than You Speak
Allow people to share their thoughts at their own pace. Silence is okay, and it’s important not to feel you need to fill every pause.
Acknowledge Their Feelings
Simple statements such as: “That sounds incredibly difficult” or “I’m here whenever you want to talk” – can help young people feel heard and understood.
Maintain Gentle Routines
Grief can make everyday life feel unpredictable. Keeping familiar routines where possible can provide a sense of stability and security.
Remember That Grief Changes Over Time
There is no timeline for grief. Anniversaries, birthdays, holidays or significant milestones may bring emotions back unexpectedly, even long after the initial loss.
Supporting Grieving Young People in Education
Teachers, tutors and other professionals also play an important role in supporting grieving young people.
Small adjustments – such as offering flexibility with deadlines, checking in privately or simply acknowledging that someone has experienced a loss – can make a meaningful difference.
Rather than assuming a young person is “back to normal,” it’s helpful to recognise that grief often comes in waves and support may still be needed long after others expect life to have returned to normal.
Looking Beyond the Behaviour
Sometimes grief is expressed through behaviour rather than words.
For example, a previously engaged student may begin avoiding school. Another young person may become more withdrawn or appear unusually angry. Others may seek greater independence or take more risks.
Looking beyond the behaviour and considering what emotions may be lying beneath them allows us to respond with curiosity and compassion instead of judgement.
National Grief Awareness Day
National Grief Awareness Day (observed in the UK on 30 August) is an important reminder that grief is a natural part of being human and that no one should have to navigate it alone.
Having a recognised national day encourages us to recognise the many ways grief can affect our lives and to create space for more open, compassionate conversations about loss.
How We Can Help Support A Young Person Through Grief
At Lions Campus, we understand that grief can affect every aspect of a young person’s emotional wellbeing, confidence and daily life.
Through structured mentoring, wellbeing support and a compassionate, person-centred approach, we help young people develop healthy coping strategies, rebuild routines and move forward at their own pace.
If you’re supporting a young person who is struggling following a loss, remember that reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. No-one should have to face grief alone. Speak to our team today and we can help.
