Grieving the Loss of a Child

In Jamaica, when people die oftentimes we say they are “gone too soon” even when they are very old and understandably one would take comfort in celebrating the long life they have lived. But what happens when someone is really gone too soon like a young child with their whole life ahead of them dies? How does one cope with such loss? Reflecting on recent incidents of death involving children how can a parent begin to process such a significant loss? The loss of a child may be the worst trauma a person can experience.

Imagine sending your child to school expecting him or her to turn home only to get the worst phone call of your life that something terrible has happened. One can only surmise the psychological harm that such trauma has on parents.

Grief Counsellor Lecturer, at the International University of the Caribbean (I.U.C) Novelette Johnson and Author, Rasheda Thomas-Bailey share their point of view on learning to cope with the loss of a child Sunrise.

Watch the full discussion here:

This is so because parents are viewed as protectors and feel responsible for their children’s wellbeing. Everyone processes grief differently and although parents mourning the loss of a child, in many ways, experience the usual grief response there are many unique challenges. The loss of a child can lead to broken homes, destroy marriages and the neglect of other children in the household. With the recent tragedies, one can only wonder about how the parents are coping with the loss and the different feelings such as regret and what-ifs. Some are even feeling culpable or complicit while others are feeling they have failed as parents.