Kids find healing at suicide-bereavement camps

Reporting guidelines for journalists writing about suicide often emphasize the importance of including a sense of hope in these difficult stories.

When I learned about the small but growing world of suicide-bereavement camps—which are designed to give kids and families coping with the loss of a loved one to suicide a place to heal together—it seemed like a perfect way to highlight hope. These camps do so much for the kids who attend them: they let them have fun and feel like kids again, meet other people who understand their pain, and help them process the tragedies they’ve experienced, often at very young ages.

They’re also protective, camp directors told me and my colleague Kara Milstein. People are at higher risk for suicidal behavior after a loved one dies this way—so bringing kids together to heal and grow can have serious mental-health benefits. At a time when suicide rates are on the rise, that’s more important than ever.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental-health crisis or contemplating suicide, call or text 988. In emergencies, call 911, or seek care from a local hospital or mental health provider.

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