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A groundbreaking initiative is helping young people from Newry and across the Southern Trust area to navigate the difficult journey of bereavement and loss through a programme that puts their voices at the centre of healing.
The 'Seasons of Life' programme, which has already supported 75 young people aged 11-18 across local schools, represents a fresh approach to addressing grief among teenagers - combining professional expertise with peer support in an environment where young people feel safe to share their experiences.
What makes Seasons of Life unique is that it was co-designed by young people themselves, working alongside health and social care professionals. This collaborative approach ensures the programme truly meets the needs of those it serves.
The workshops are delivered by a multi-disciplinary team that includes specialist school nursing staff, paediatric psychology professionals, the Trust's bereavement coordinator, and representatives from Cruse bereavement support services.
Since launching as a pilot during Children's Grief Week in November 2023, the programme has reached schools in Newry, Dungannon, Keady and Craigavon, with participating schools fully embracing the initiative by developing their own bereavement policies and training staff.
The statistics behind the programme reveal the scale of the challenge. According to Dr Sinead Hannan, Assistant Head of Psychology Services for Southern Trust, one in 29 children aged five to sixteen has experienced the death of a parent or sibling - equivalent to roughly one child in every classroom.
"Grief is a natural response to loss and can affect every aspect of a young person's life, physically, emotionally, and socially," Dr Hannan explains. "Bereavement, especially during childhood, plays a significant role in shaping wellbeing."
The programme doesn't just focus on death-related bereavement. It also supports young people dealing with other significant losses, such as family breakdown or major life changes that can trigger similar grief responses.
At the heart of Seasons of Life is the use of creative expression - art and storytelling - to help young people process their emotions. This approach allows participants to explore their grief in ways that feel natural and non-threatening.
Michelle Mooney, the programme's coordinator for Southern Trust, emphasises the preventative nature of the work: "Most young people will not need professional help to cope with grief if supported sensitively by family, friends and their school or community networks. However, some issues stemming from unaddressed grief can sadly escalate to a crisis point."
The early intervention approach is already showing results. The programme has received 43 requests for further one-to-one support from young people who may not otherwise have come to professional attention until much later.
The feedback from participants, teachers and families tells the story of genuine impact. Young people speak of feeling "less lonely" in their grief and forming lasting friendships across different year groups. Teachers note the "remarkable skill" of the team in building trust and creating safe spaces for even the most hesitant students to participate.
One particularly moving outcome saw young people in a participating school create a memorial piece of art alongside an Arts Care artist and the project coordinator - demonstrating how creative expression can become a powerful tool for healing and remembrance.
For families, the ripple effects extend beyond the young participants themselves. As one parent noted: "Due to the change in them, other family members have now sought support for themselves and we have all benefitted."
The success of Seasons of Life is evident in the waiting list of schools eager to participate in future workshops. The team is now working to adapt the programme for primary school ages, recognising that grief support may be needed even earlier in a child's educational journey.
The programme represents more than just grief counselling - it's about empowering young people to actively engage with their emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and access support before problems escalate.
As the initiative continues to grow, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved when young people's voices are heard and their experiences are validated through collaborative, creative approaches to mental health and wellbeing support.
Seasons of Life is supported by the Q-Exchange quality improvement funding programme and delivered through partnership between Southern Trust and Cruse bereavement support services.
