Resources
Finding Support When You Need It Most.
At Jacinta's Smile, we believe no one should face grief alone. This resources page offers a curated collection of external guides, directories, and support services to help individuals and families navigate the complexities of grief. Whether you're a parent supporting a grieving child, a teenager processing loss, or a family member seeking guidance, these trusted organizations provide expert advice and compassionate support tailored to different stages of life and grief.
Supporting Young Children Through Loss
These resources offer practical advice for parents and carers on helping children understand and cope with grief in an age-appropriate, compassionate manner.
This resource, published by the HSE, lists a wide range of bereavement support services by county in the Republic of Ireland.
This resource, published by Barnardos, explores some of the issues for children under the age of 6 when someone dies. Children in this age bracket are still in a sense-making stage in their lives; however, they know when a loved one is missing and this can bring on anxiety and upset in the child. This resource provides advice on steps parents and carers can take to support children in this age group in an age-appropriate way.
This article, published by Edutopia, highlights the importance of play in supporting young children to navigate complex social issues. Play is a key asset in a child’s sense-making toolbox and should be widely encouraged and appropriately supported.
This resource, published by Barnardos, acknowledges the changes and challenges taking place in teenagers’ lives. Unlike young children, teenagers are mature enough to understand the finality of death, but they may not be equipped to handle the emotional challenges that come with it. Furthermore, their ability to fully articulate their feelings, connect with other peers on this issue, and navigate complex challenges associated with being a teenager may be limited.
This resource, published by Grief Encounters, identifies common feelings and responses demonstrated by bereaved teenagers and provides advice on how to deal with these new challenges.
This resource, published with the support of Boston Children’s Hospital, was designed to support parents who have recently experienced the death of a child. Part 5 is dedicated to supporting siblings and grandparents.