Grief group for kids, teens to start in March

Hospice of North Idaho announced the continuation of "Pathways for Kids and Teens," a grief group for children and teenagers ages 7-16, which will take place during the remainder of the school year from March to May.

Pathways offers a safe place to connect with peers while working through grief under the supervision of trained professionals.

The Pathways group will provide this support through peer-to-peer interactions, such as talking and hands-on activities, and will deliver age-appropriate information regarding the grief process to its participants.

According to Hospice of North Idaho's Pathways facilitator Lori Rohde, stressors brought on by grief, such as fear, loss of concentration and increased illness can challenge the well-being and school performance of children and teens, especially as they are under pressure to succeed socially and academically. Grief can have an impact on relationships as well, since grieving children and teens tend to feel different and very alone while still desiring to appear "fine."

"Seeing friends go about their 'normal' lives can also be a daily reminder of their own loss," said Rohde. "With all of these challenges, it's especially important that grieving kids and teens be given additional support and the opportunity to connect with other kids who are also working through grief and loss."

Hospice of North Idaho's grief group will be divided into two age groups and will be facilitated by Hospice of North Idaho staff and trained volunteers. Pathways for Kids and Teens meets every Wednesday for 8 weeks, March 5 through May 7, from 4-5:30, with a hiatus for spring break.

As the only local nonprofit hospice in the area, Hospice of North Idaho's charitable mission involves caring for everyone in our community regardless of their ability to pay for services. These services are made possible through the generous support of the community, and include hospice and palliative care, stays at Idaho's only inpatient hospice facility, Hospice House, and comprehensive grief and loss services that are available for adults and children like the Pathways for Kids and Teens program.

For more information about Pathways for Kids and Teens, or our other services, call (208)772-7994 or visit www.honi.org.