COPING WITH
    SIGNIFICANT ILLNESS

COPING WITH SIGNIFICANT ILLNESS

Supporting Children Experiencing Significant Illness of a Family Member

We use this term, intentionally, because it is rather broad. It may include a chronic medical condition, substance use disorder, mental illness, or any other type of health-related condition that can potentially cause grief within a family. A child coping with the significant illness of a parent, caregiver or sibling can face many challenges.

HOW DOES RAINBOWS PROVIDE SUPPORT?

Rainbows for All Children has helped more than 3.5 million youth over the past 38 years, and continues to serve all children, regardless of age, race, gender or financial ability. If you know a child grieving from a loss, click here to find Rainbows programming near you. The Rainbows program is free for all participants anywhere in the world that groups meet.

By joining the Rainbows community as a facilitator or a participant, you gain access to an effective and engaging curriculum, a community of peers for those experiencing a loss, and materials and training to help facilitators prepare.

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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.