Remember, It's OK: Loss for Teens

“Nobody wants to talk about their grief. Teen years are when we are trying to figure out who we are as a person, and when something in our life causes grief to happen, it makes things so much more confusing. This book will give teens the hope they need and want.” - Kayleigh Hart-Robertson

This book, Loss for Teens was written in consultation with teens who had lost a friend, sibling, parent or other important person in their lives. From our research, we found that teens have little to no support for their grief and are often not taken seriously due to their age. This book gives them a voice and offers them support and help so they don’t have to feel alone. It also allows parents, educators and support workers an understanding into the mindset of a teen suffering from grief and gives this support person a way to help.

The book weaves "Moments" (written in first person, like a personal diary entry of the teen's thoughts and feelings) into a spectrum of six colours, as a road map forward. Each "Moment” has a companion response of support which could be a friend, family member, colleague or therapist. There are also blank pages for students to express themselves and so understand their feelings.

Grief can no longer be left on a back burner, to solve itself. It doesn't happen like that. So many young people are crippled by grief and have little to no support and help. It affects their school/work-life, their personal life, relationships, their view of the world and their future. We offer hope and a way forward.

This book could be valuable in a high school Health or Civics course, as well as something available in the library and guidance centre.