Kyles Korner and Mental Health America (MHA) are partnering to start a free Special Circumstances support group that offers support to middle and high school teens who have suffered the death of a friend, parent or other loved one.

Studies have shown that bereaved children and teens with unresolved grief are susceptible to long-term negative outcomes such as depression and pathological behavior.  This population often lacks the adult skills to understand, cope and express grief and loss. As a result their grieving process is very different from that of adults, and reflects their current developmental stage. If their grief process is not appropriately understood and supported, this can leave them with unresolved grief throughout their lifetime. Studies have also shown children who have unresolved grief will experience increased psychiatric problems in the first two years after the death.

It is our hope that by offering our services to area schools this will allow a child to have more support and to stay on track developmentally and academically.

The group will meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month to provide peer support with individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one due to suicide, homicide or other complicated scenarios

To register- contact Martina Gollin-Graves at Mental Health America of WI at martina@mhawisconsin.org or 414-336-7972.