By Jeffrey Allen Federowicz
WILLIAMSPORT — Dealing with the loss of a loved can be a daunting task, especially for a child. Many times, death can leave a void that brings about a myriad of feelings ranging from anger and sadness to confusion and hurt.
For adults, the grieving process, although difficult, is comprehendible due to maturity and a better understanding of life and faith.
A child lacks the maturity to fully understand death and many times, they believe they did something wrong that caused their loved one to leave them.
To help children and young adolescents deal with the grieving process, Susquehanna Health Home Care and Hospice has created Heartworks, a free support program especially designed for children.
“We saw a need for this type of program in the area and wanted to help children who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Children often don’t have the ability, even the words to express their feelings,” said Pam Wollet, child bereavement counselor for Susquehanna Health Home Care and Hospice. “We worked with a really great team of people from the hospital to help create this program and work with us.”
Formed several weeks ago, Heartworks is held the second and forth Tuesdays of the month at the Divine Providence Hospital, Williamsport.
Heartworks is not only unique to the area, it’s also unique in the program’s design.
A typical group meeting starts at dinner time where both children and their family members, often parents or grandparents, gather for a meal with team members of the support group. Afterward, the adults and children adjourn to separate areas for their group meetings which conclude by 7:30 p.m.
“At our first support group, we had 11 children who were dealing with the loss of a loved one,” Wollet said. “A few of the things we do during a group is music therapy, art therapy and drama therapy. These are used to help a child express their emotion and how to deal with it.” Another helpful activity was the creation of an “orchestra” of feelings where each child had to make a sound that represented the emotions they were feeling. The sounds ranged from sadness to anger and abandonment. As a group, the children put their sounds to a rhythm, thus creating a song.
The activity not only helped the children express their feelings, the song also showed how everyone experiences grief and deals with it differently.
Other constructive activities included drawing or acting out an emotion.
“One of the most important parts of this group is for children to understand the feeling they are having, is not unique,” she said. “They realize that others kids have the same feelings, issues and that it‘s OK to grieve in different ways.”
Studies have shown that children and adolescents who experience the loss of a loved one and do not effectively deal with their grieving may develop emotional issues later on in life.
Although the main program is designed for elementary school-aged children, programs are being designed for older children.
Families interested in the Heartworks program may contact Wollet at the Divine Providence Hospital at 220-6270.
