| Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS website. |
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| Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives. |
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Children And BereavementThe following information could help if your child has lost or is about to lose someone, such as a family member or friend. If your child is about to lose someoneIf a child has a loved one, such as a friend or family member who's going to die, they can benefit from special support. A child's stress level is often at its highest before bereavement because of fear and the unknown. Pre-bereavement counselling gives a child a chance to think and talk about their feelings and share their worries. The YoungMinds website has more information on counselling services for children and young people Making a memory boxIf you're a parent and you know you're going to die, you could make a memory box to give to your child, or make one together. A memory box contains things that remind you both of your time together. It can provide an important link between you and your child once you've gone. Macmillan Cancer Support has information about making a memory box Talk about the person who has diedDuring bereavement, it can help a child to talk about the person who's died, whether it was a grandparent, parent, brother, sister or friend. Direct, honest and open communication is more helpful than trying to protect your child by hiding the truth. If you exclude them from family ceremonies and services after someone has died it could make them feel excluded. This can also help your child be open about their own feelings and avoid confusion about what has happened. It may be helpful to talk as a family, perhaps with your child, about how to include them in any events that celebrate or say goodbye to the person who has died. It's important for them to have someone with whom they can talk about that person and share their emotions. This could be through photos, games, memory boxes or stories. Over time, children may start to talk more about their loss at different times and in different ways. Young children may start talking about death or including it in their play, but this is normal and is a way for them to make sense of what has happened. Further support for your childThere are also bereavement charities that offer helplines, email support, and online communities and message boards for children. These include:
You can also find out more about children and bereavement from the Childhood Bereavement Network Make a memory boxIf the person who's died did not leave a memory box, you could make one with your child. It can include:
Don't forget to look after yourselfIt's important to make sure you're also getting the support you need after a loss. This can also help you to better support your child. Read more about getting help with grief after bereavement or loss |
| OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic. | | |
| Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com. | ||