Helping Children Cope with Grief & Loss | The Solace Tree

Grief can affect children and adults after far more than the death of a loved one. Job loss, divorce, natural disasters, losing a home, injuries and other major life changes can all bring feelings of grief. Sarah Johns sits down with Emilio Parga of The Solace Tree to discuss how families can recognize grief, talk openly about loss and help children feel supported through difficult experiences.

The Solace Tree's story began following the September 11 attacks, when Emilio was working in a classroom and saw children struggling to understand the tragedy unfolding around them. With few age-appropriate resources available to help children talk about death, that experience became the catalyst for creating an organization dedicated to grief support and education.

The conversation is especially timely for Northern Nevada families affected by recent wildfires and evacuations. Emilio explains why adults shouldn't underestimate a child's ability to feel fear, sadness and grief—and how having honest, age-appropriate conversations and a family plan can help children understand what may happen next.

🚨 Segment Highlights:

💙 Understanding Grief & Loss

• Grief can take many forms and affect everyone differently

• Loss can include death, divorce, job loss, disasters and major life changes

• Open conversations can help people feel less alone

🇺🇸 How The Solace Tree Began

• The organization grew from experiences following September 11

• Children needed resources to understand death and tragedy

• A need for grief education became the catalyst for The Solace Tree

🔥 Helping Children After Wildfires

• Evacuations and losing a home can be frightening for children

• Kids may experience fear, anxiety, sadness and grief

• Parents can provide reassurance through communication and preparation

👨‍👩‍👧 Talking to Kids About Difficult Things

• Don't underestimate a child's ability to think, feel, love or grieve

• Give children age-appropriate information about what's happening

• Having a plan can help reduce uncertainty during emergencies

🏫 Grief Support in Schools, Sports & Workplaces

• The Good Grief Club provides peer support in K–12 schools

• The Solace Tree works with athletic teams, businesses and organizations

• Listening and checking in can help people process many types of loss

🤝 You Are Not Alone in Grief

• Grief looks different based on the person and circumstances

• Anniversaries and birthdays can bring difficult emotions back

• Simply checking in with someone who is grieving can make a difference

🌐 Grief Support & Resources:

Visit: https://solacetree.org/

Call: 775-324-7723

The Solace Tree offers grief support groups and works with children, families, schools, workplaces and organizations. The organization also offers Grief University, designed to help parents and caregivers learn how to have conversations with children about death and loss.

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