This November, in recognition of Children’s Grief Awareness Month, the Healing Patch Children’s Grief Program is joining with members of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) to launch the annual Flip the Script campaign. This initiative, created by NACG with support from national childhood grief organizations, Dougy Center, Eluna, Experience Camps, and Judi’s House, focuses on raising awareness and providing education about childhood bereavement—flipping the script on how we, as a society, understand and support children and teens who are grieving.
Far too often, grief in young people can go unseen or misunderstood. Well-intentioned adults may avoid conversations about death, minimize a child’s feelings, or rely on phrases such as “you’ll be okay” or “time heals all wounds.” These responses can unintentionally leave children feeling isolated in their grief. By increasing awareness and offering education, the Flip the Script campaign can better equip families, schools, and communities to provide children who are grieving with the care and support they need.
According to the JAG Institute’s 2025 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model Report, 1 in 11 children in the U.S.—or about 6.5 million—will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18. This staggering reality highlights the importance of raising awareness and ensuring children who are grieving are not left to navigate their loss alone.
Healing Patch Coordinator Melody Ray emphasized the significance of supporting children after loss, stating, “Grief that is not expressed, validated or managed can negatively impact a child’s development and mental health. This puts a significant strain on the family. By acknowledging and supporting grieving children and young adults in our community, we can see positive outcomes long-term. The Healing Patch is a place for the community to learn about how to support these grieving children and young adults, as well as a resource for local grieving families to gain connections, support and hope.”
The Healing Patch Children’s Grief Program began in 2006 as a free peer support program for children and their families who have suffered the loss of a significant person, such as a parent, sibling, grandparent, or close family member. Since that time, the program has expanded to support young adults aged 18-25, as well as children in community settings, such as in-school services. Sharing memories and experiences allows grieving individuals to discover that what they are going through is normal and that hope and healing are possible.
The Penn State Altoona Sheetz Fellows have partnered with the Healing Patch to increase children’s grief awareness. They have partnered with four local pizza shops: Heritage Pizza, Best Way 6th Ave., Front Street Deli (Hollidaysburg), and Mama Randazzo’s to share an informational flyer and color sheet with customers throughout November. Completed coloring pages can be emailed to the Healing Patch to be featured on the Facebook page. Additionally, the Sheetz Fellows are reaching out to local schools to promote engagement with and awareness of the unique needs of grieving children. Pictured with a representative from Heritage Pizza are Sheetz Fellows Emma Swanger, Allison Fiore and Alyvia Muir.
Throughout the month of November, the Healing Patch will share resources, stories and information designed to help individuals, families, schools, faith communities, and professionals better understand the grieving process and respond with empathy. By building awareness and knowledge, the Flip the Script Campaign works toward a future where no child grieves alone.
For more information about Children’s Grief Awareness Month, access to valuable resources for supporting children who are grieving, and ways to get involved in the Flip the Script Campaign, visit https://nacg.org/flipthescript/ and follow #FlipTheScript on Facebook and Instagram. To stay updated with the Healing Patch, follow the Healing Patch Children’s Grief Program Facebook page or Instagram @healing_patch.