Talking with Kids About Dying & Death
Stay tuned for our next virtual workshop
April 7, 2022
Through the eyes of a child is a common phrase we hear when trying to understand and relate to a child’s emotions, behaviours and feelings. However, when it comes to discussing life-altering events we are sometimes at a loss of words.
Discussing death with children and young adults can be challenging and many tend to avoid the discussion altogether. Death, just as birth, is a natural part of our lives. As parents and a community, it is our responsibility to ensure young people know it’s okay to discuss death and learn healthy ways to cope with grief.
HHA is proud to offer C.A.N.D.Y Café, as a support resource in Creating Awareness and Normalizing Death for Youth.
Currently, C.A.N.D.Y Café is a free virtual program for ages 10 - 18 to gather in a safe and accepting environment to discuss dying, death, loss and grief. For more information or to register for the next event, please visit C.A.N.D.Y Café
Workshop:
Our 2-hour workshop is where we begin to explore:
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Brain development during childhood and teen years
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Developmental stages in relation to how young people experience life events
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How to get the conversation started
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How to listen effectively to young people and provide a safe place to ask questions and discuss feelings
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how to discuss terminal diagnosis, MAiD, and suicide with young people
Workshop Series:
Our Virtual Workshop Series consists of a minimum of 7.5 hours of online training plus reading materials, quizzes, and a final role-play assessment.
Through reading, videos, instruction, and discussions, you will experience a more in-depth study about:
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Developmental stages and brain development and the importance of these in how young people interface with dying, death, and grief
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How to help young people identify and unpack their emotions in order to understand them
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How to interact with young people so they know they are heard, respected, and supported
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Suicide, terminal diagnosis, and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) and how to discuss these with young people at their developmental stages
Meet Our Speaker - Terri Viola-Wilson
Terri is a retired teacher with over 30 years of engaging with young people in the classroom, on sports teams, in choirs, and in social justice movements. During those years, one of her passions was helping to improve communication between her students and those who cared for them in order for the young person to realize their greatest potential.
With the mental welfare of young people in mind, Terri helped develop the C.A.N.D.Y. Café program. Using personal and professional experiences, as well as continuing education in childhood trauma and child and youth grieving, Terri brings empathy and knowledge not only to the young people she encounters in C.A.N.D.Y. Café but, through presentations, to the adults who live and work with young people.
She explains, “First and foremost, we have to listen. Each young person has fears and questions about dying, death, and grief, whether or not they have experienced the death of a loved one. If no one listens to them, they come up with their own answers… and that can lead to anxiety and fear. By opening up the dialogue and truly listening, we are able to respond with compassion, educate where necessary, and support each young person.”
Workshop Details
Free virtual workshop April 7, 2022
starting at 7:00pm
