A person’s loss of a close friend or loved one can have a profound impact on their life. This is especially true if they were dependent on them. Schuurman (2013) states that teenagers aged 13-28 years old are the most affected because they lack the skills to cope with loss. The majority of teens are capable of understanding almost all that is happening around them. But they do not have the necessary knowledge or experience to handle the issues of grief (Grinyer (2012)). They are therefore an important group who need the support of grief support groups. These groups are the most important companions and first aid for adolescents grieving. Schuurman (2013) asserts that there are different levels of grief support groups depending on what kind of people they try to assist. But support groups might target teenagers who have lost one or both parents. This depends on the leadership and founders of the support group.
Everyone, no matter their age or gender, can experience grief. Children and teenagers are more likely to experience grief than adults. This is why it is possible for them to benefit from support groups. Grinyer (2012) states that a young parent’s death can have a profound impact on a child’s long-term and short-term well-being. Research has shown that suicide attempts and cases among teenagers are mainly caused by child loss. Research has shown that self-harm is more common in teenagers after a death than any other age group (Schuurman 2013, 2013). While not all children who have lost a parent are affected by these negative effects or experience them, the overwhelming majority of bereaved kids will.
It is no surprise that teens are not the only ones who have difficulty with grieving. As adults, teens react differently to grief support. Children often experience prolonged or complicated mourning.