Resources for and About Teens (Ages 13-18)
From middle school through high school, being a teen can be a very bumpy ride. Life in a family affected by substances often adds extra layers of complexity, conflict, fear, shame, guilt, and loss. When teens also experience heavy loss and grief in this context—for example, the loss of a parent or a sibling—their needs and wishes can be hard for adult supporters to understand or anticipate.
Clicking on the "VIEW" buttons in the boxes below will take you to resources developed by national experts, some of them by teens who have experienced profound loss and grief and found great resilience. These resources include checklists, podcasts, videos, infographics, articles, booklets, activities, and one resource website. What you learn on this journey might make your support for teens safer and more effective.
About Teens
Developmental Differences
"Differences in children's understanding of death, from Judi's House/JAG Institute.
Nurturing Resilience
Guidelines for supporters of grieving youth, from the Wayfinder Family Co.
Children of Addiction
A guide for educators from the National Association for Children of Addiction.
The Supporter's Role
Listening on Repeat
A guide for supporters, from the National Alliance for Children's Grief
How to Help a Grieving Teen
"Let's Hear It For the Kids: Grief In Their Own Words, "from the Dougy Center
Sharing With Your Child After a Loss
Tips on communication for supportive adults, from the Wayfinder Family Co.
About Grief
The Griever's Bill of Rights
Poster and activity ideas for children and teens, from the Eluna Network
What to Say to Teens in Grief
A "Do and Don't" poster from the National Alliance for Children's Grief
Adolescente "Haz Esto y no Hagas"
Haz esto y no hagas pautas de la Alianza Nacional para el Luto Infantil
In the Words of Teens Who Have Experienced Grief
Grief Feels Like
Highly creative animated video about grief in the words of kids and teens, from the Dougy Center
Their Stories: Traci, Amira, and Alina
From the Dougy Center's "Road to Resilience" series.
Grief Sucks
Innovative website with straight talk, streaming videos, and other resources by and for young people
Age-Appropriate Activities
Your Grief is Unique
Worksheet to help children and teens cope with grief, from the Eluna Network
Teen Grief Journal
Activities to help teens work through their grief, from the National Alliance for Children's Grief
Create a Support Chain
Activity for creating a paper chain of sources of support, from the Dougy Center.
Supporting a Friend Who is Grieving
Poster for supportive youth, from the National Alliance For Children's Grief
Como Apoyar a Un Amigo en Duelo
Pautas para amigos de personas en luto de la Alianza Nacional para el Luto Infantil
Tweens and Teens Talk
Activity/discussion tool and infographics from the National Association for Children of Addiction
The "I Am Me" App
An app from NACoA with tools and strategies that can help teens cope and protect their well-being during the holiday season
Planning for the Holidays
A tool from GoodGrief, to help the family navigate the holidays and consider which traditions to keep or to change
Just 4 Teens in Substance-Affected Families
Resources from the National Association for Children of Addiction