NCJ Number
196818
Date Published
2002
Length
69 pages
Annotation
This workbook for children guides them through thoughts and exercises designed to help them engage in constructive grieving due to the murder of someone close to them.
Abstract
After explaining the purpose and use of this workbook, a space is provided for the child to glue or draw pictures of himself/herself, his/her family, friends, or the person who died. The workbook then explains murder in terms a child can understand, with attention to why murder seems so different from other types of death. The child is then guided to list the names of persons to whom they might go to have them listen to any questions the child might have. The workbook next presents in her own words 10-year-old Jessica's reaction to hearing the news that her father had killed her mother. The child user of the workbook is guided through his/her own experience of finding out about the murder that affected his/her life, followed by examples of what other children have written in this section of the workbook. The next section of the workbook takes the user through the feelings likely to be associated with the murder of a loved one, with attention to sadness, regret, revenge, anxiety, and release. The child is guided through various exercises intended to help him/her identify feelings. Other information and exercises focus on helping the child to feel safe, understanding why the murder happened, and gaining knowledge about the criminal justice processing of the murder case. Other topics addressed are talking to family and friends; going back to school; dealing with dreams, nightmares, and scary thoughts; remembering special events that involved the deceased; and ways to feel better.