Author(s): Avril Nagel

Grief & Loss

The death of your child is devastating. No parent feels that he or she should outlive his or her child. However, the sad fact is that, every minute around the world, some 15 children die. The psychological and emotional impact following sudden and traumatic death can inhibit parents' grief and, without appropriate treatment, develop into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

When Your Child Dies provides grief-stricken parents with the tools to navigate the grieving process and addresses the challenges of dealing with the media, the justice system, the medical system and coroners. Besides providing a comprehensive list of resources and reading for ongoing support, there is practical advice for grieving parents on how to:

Identify and address issues that linger and cause emotional pain

Reduce anxiety and depression and promote healthy self-soothing

Incorporate your loss into your lives in healthy ways

Talk with surviving children about death and grief

Handle the impact on extended family systems and social relationships

Foster a continued loving relationship with your dead child's memory

Authors Nagel and Clark have both experienced the traumatic loss of a child and speak with compassion and empathy directly to the reader, parent-to-parent, as well as providing insightful psychological guidance and support. When Your Child Dies is a comprehensive handbook for grief-stricken parents, grief counseling organizations, resource centers and library grief collections.