Grieving children and families find resources at Highmark Caring Place to cope with Father's Day without dad
PITTSBURGH, June 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Father's Day is just around the corner. For children coping with the loss of a dad, this holiday can be an especially difficult time. For many children, June 17 will be a happy occasion, spending time with dad. However, for those whose father has died, even thinking about this day may be overwhelming.
The Highmark Caring Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, has a variety of tools and resources available online and through its four facilities in Pennsylvania located in Pittsburgh, Erie, Lemoyne and Warrendale, Pa. to help grieving children and families.
"One out of 20 children will lose a parent by the time they graduate high school," said Terese Vorsheck, Highmark Caring Place director. "A holiday like Father's Day can even further intensify feelings of grief. No matter how much time has passed, when dad has died, this can be a difficult day."
Families who are dealing with grief this Father's Day can log onto the Caring Place website at www.highmarkcaringplace.com for a variety of online reference and resource tools, all available at no cost.
Materials include educational brochures for families and professionals in the community that address the concepts of grief. Also available are answers to commonly asked questions about coping with loss, and literature explaining grieving in children, adults and families.
If you or someone you know has experienced the death of a loved one, it is important to remember the following:
- People may feel many different emotions, from sadness and anger to relief and confusion.
- Many people want to remember their loved ones, and talking about them can be helpful, even if they cry.
- When someone is grieving, he/she may feel drained of energy.
- Feelings of grief come and go for a long period of time, usually longer than expected.
- Besides missing the person who died, grieving people are often surrounded by others who are grieving, too, which can add to their feelings of confusion or sadness.
All Highmark Caring Place programs are offered to the community, regardless of insurance coverage and at no cost.
Additional resources are available through the Caring Place website or by contacting one of the four facilities in Pennsylvania. For more information, call 1-866-212-HOPE (4673).
SOURCE Highmark Caring Place
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