COPING WITH SIGNIFICANT ILLNESS
Supporting Young People with the Significant Illness of a Family Member
A loved one’s significant illness can feel like a deep loss for young people, as they witness changes in the person’s health, role, and presence in their daily lives.
How Does Significant Illness Impact Young People?
We use this term broadly to encompass chronic conditions, substance use disorders, mental illnesses, and other health-related challenges that can cause grief and disruption within a family. Young people may experience fear, anxiety, and confusion as they witness changes and challenges their loved one faces with their illness. The illness can also disrupt family routines and shift responsibilities onto the young person, adding stress and pressure. Witnessing a loved one’s chronic condition can lead to ongoing anxiety, fear, and anticipatory grief, as the young person braces for potential loss or a profound change in their loved one’s quality of life. These experiences can impact young people’s mental health, school performance, and social relationships over time.
How does Rainbows Provide Support?
For over 42 years, Rainbows for All Children has supported hundreds of thousands of youth through grief, loss, and uncertainty. We continue to serve all young people—regardless of age, race, gender, or financial circumstances. If you or a young person you know is having a hard time with loss or change, [click here] to find Rainbows programming near you. Our programs are always free for participants, anywhere in the world where groups meet.
By joining the Rainbows community— whether as a participant, caregiver, or trained facilitator— you’ll gain access to an engaging, evidence-based curriculum, and a group of peers who understand. Sign up today, and become part of a compassionate, supportive network committed to helping young people process their experiences, grow, and thrive through life’s most challenging moments.
Helpful Resources
Supporting Youth through Someone’s Significant Illness
Parenting and Caregiving through Significant Illness
General Resources
Resource Archive
Categories
Find More Resources
We provide resources for all forms of grief.
Death
Of all the children in America, around 15% will experience the death of a family member or sibling. Even though death is ultimately a fact of life, it can be hard for anyone to experience this kind of loss, let alone a child.
Separation/Divorce
There are about 1.25 million divorces per year in the United States. Of all U.S. children, 50% will witness the breakup of their parents’ marriage, and almost 50% of those children will also see the breakup of a parent’s second marriage.
Incarceration
One in 28 children will have a parent become incarcerated before their 18th birthday. Approximately half of children with incarcerated parents are younger than 10 years old.
Deportation
When a parent, caregiver or sibling is deported, or even when there is the threat of deportation, the whole family suffers.
Military Deployment
Parental deployment is a form of loss that 3% of American children experience. This can be a very difficult adjustment for children, who may not be able to see or speak to that parent regularly, and who also may experience a great deal of stress when worried about his or her parent or guardian’s safety.
Significant Illness
A child coping with the significant illness of a parent, caregiver or sibling can face many challenges.
Community Crisis
Community crises, such as natural disasters, pandemics or political unrest, cause confusing emotions for children. Rainbows’ programs can help children navigate difficult times and provide a sense of stability.
Find A Support Group
Rainbows’ programs help children grieving the loss
of a parent or guardian due to death, divorce/separation,
deployment, deportation, incarceration or trauma.
