Childhood Bereavement: An Introduction to the Section

This is an introduction to a collection of papers on childhood bereavement. The nature and content of the papers was prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the millions of children all over the world who have lost a parent from this contagion. This section examines the effects the pandemic had on children's and families' ability to mourn, the effects of losing a loved one and mourning on children, adolescents, and emerging adults, the ways in which families and communities can help children mourn, and the need for treatment when young people do not have sufficient support in their time of mourning. An analysis of a child addresses issues that arise when treating a child in mourning.

Automated summary

This paper serves as an introduction to a collection of papers on childhood bereavement, which are prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant number of children worldwide who have lost a parent due to this contagion. It explores the impact of the pandemic on children's and families' ability to mourn, the effects of losing a loved one and mourning on children, adolescents, and emerging adults, the ways in which families and communities can support children in their grieving process, and the importance of providing appropriate treatment for young people who lack sufficient support during their grieving period.