Grieving For Our Child Who Experienced Mental Health Problem

UK Helpline: 0345 123 2304 | www.tcf.org.uk Concerns about surviving children If we have other children, the impact on them and on the family dynamics can be enormous. There might have been times when they felt neglected due to all the attention their sibling had needed. Some of the things our troubled child said or did could have confused, angered or even frightened them. They may have resented their sibling and said things they now regret. As a result, their grief may be complicated by guilt. Younger children are unlikely to understand mental illness and they may wrongly conclude that they must be in some way to blame. No matter their age, they might feel responsible in some way, perhaps believing that they failed to save their sibling from dying. Our surviving children may need encouragement to speak about their feelings. It is important to talk about what has happened, in a way that is appropriate to their level of maturity. Support from those outside the immediate family circle can also be immensely helpful at this time, and is something to be welcomed and encouraged. For more on this subject, see the TCF Leaflet Our Surviving Children .