Grief is a normal response when someone close dies, unfortunately for teens it is an emotion that may be new and difficult to handle, and even more difficult to find support for. On the next Teen Connection, a panel of young people and adult experts will discuss the many ways teens grieve after a loved one has died and will introduce support systems grieving teens can turn to.

According to the Children’s Grief Education Association, more than 5.4 million children and teens in the United States have at least one parent who died. Many others have siblings, friends, grandparents and other relatives who die. Teens who grieve are not alone but may often feel alone, and the feelings of numbness, shock and worry may be new for emotions for teens.

In this edition of Teen Connection, teens that had family members die recently will share their grieving experiences from the emotions felt to the time it took to grasp those emotions and rationalize the death. Three teens will appear on the program to share their experiences. One of the teens has a sister with terminal cancer, another had a sibling who died and one had a parent who died.

Illene Noppe, professor of human development at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, will join the program to discuss ways the university is helping children and teens grieve. Noppe is the founder of Camp Lloyd, a day camp for children grieving the death of a loved one that provides a safe environment where campers can explore their own experiences of grief, realize their feelings are normal and find support for each other. Lloyd Noppe, Illene’s husband who lost his father at a young age, provided the inspiration for the camp.

A panel of professional grief counselors also will be on hand to field calls from teens that want to talk about their experiences and emotions resulting from the death of friend or family member.

The Sib Spot a web site for siblings whose brother or sister has died from Cancer.

Toll-free phone service is provided by Nsight Long Distance.

Host Kathryn Bracho appears courtesy of WBAY-TV/Green Bay.