Helping Kids Navigate Loss with Lionheart Camp for Kids

Don't Be Caught Dead

Just imagine being a young child, navigating through the unimaginable loss of a loved one. Feelings of isolation, confusion, and profound sadness can be overwhelming, right?

Now imagine a place where these children can come together, share their experiences, and learn that they aren't alone in their grief.

This week on 'Don't Be Caught Dead', I, Catherine Ashton, bring you a conversation with two inspirational women who are doing just that.

Shelly Skinner, founding director and CEO of Lionheart Camp for Kids, and Lauren Breen, a professor at Curtin University specialising in the psychology of grief and loss, join me to share their incredible work.

At the Lionheart Camp, children, teens, and adults are given the space and support to understand and process their grief. Shelley's vision - to ensure all children are provided with the necessary care after losing someone close - is a mission she carries out with absolute dedication.

Lauren, with her focus on understanding grief experiences and promoting grief literacy, brings the academic perspective, providing insights on how grief impacts individuals and families. Together, they published "What Bereaved Children Want to Know About Death and Grief" in the Journal of Child and Family Studies. Their work is creating a ripple effect, paving the way for a more accepting and understanding society where grief is seen as a normal part of life, rather than a taboo.

Key points discussed in this episode include:

• The founding of Lionheart Camp for Kids and its mission
• The importance of normalising grief and providing a supportive community for kids dealing with loss
• Shelly's personal experiences with loss, which drove her to create the camp
• The research and writings of Lauren Breen on the psychology of grief and loss
• The significant role of education and peer support in coping with grief

Resources Mentioned:

• Lionheart Camp for Kids
• Finding Fwebbers - Children’s Book
• Raw to Roar Program
• Lionheart Camp for Kids partners with Curtin University, under the leadership of Board member Professor Lauren Breen, to undertake research around childhood grief. That research can be found on the following link: https://lionheartcampforkids.com.au/research

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MY LOVED ONE HAS DIED, WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Download it here.

SUPPORT SERVICES
If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.

Contact Catherine
Business Website: https://dontbecaughtdead.com.au
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critical_info_org/
LinkedIn Business Page: : https://www.linkedin.com/company/critical-info
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-ashton-73254528/
Podcast Editor: https://www.livvimusic.com/

Music composer: Ania Reynolds - https://www.aniareynolds.com/