«Children grieve differently than adults»
Mr Weisshaupt, who is the new Nebelmeer Kids offer aimed at?
For children up to the age of 12 who have lost a sibling or parent to suicide. 20 years ago, we launched the first group programme for bereaved young people, and now we have added Nebelmeer Kids, a meeting place for even younger people affected by suicide. We are also the first to do this: children who have suffered a loss through suicide have hardly any contact points in Switzerland. There is an urgent need.
The fortnightly meetings take place at the Zurich Self-Help Centre, but families from all cantons are welcome. Our aim is to be represented in the ten largest German-speaking cities in Switzerland in the medium term. Professionals and self-help centres who are interested in offering group meetings, as well as those affected, are welcome to contact us.
Young children often deal with loss quite naturally and ask questions that can sometimes offend adults.
What can children expect at the meetings?
While parents chat in the adult group in the room next door, the children start their meeting in the welcome circle, where they can also ask questions or bring up topics. The children's group is led by Caroline Ruckstuhl, a trained bereavement counsellor.
Children have different needs depending on their mood and stage of development: Some need to let off steam, others want to talk, some are looking for a creative outlet for their feelings. So some stay in the discussion group, others run around in the park, do handicrafts in the studio or cook. Later, children and adults eat together.
Why is your offer so important?
Children grieve differently to adults. They don't necessarily talk about their worries and fears or cry when adults feel like it. Young children in particular often deal with the loss quite naturally and ask questions that sometimes offend teenagers or adults. In addition, suicide is unfortunately a taboo subject, which can make the grieving process more difficult.
It is important that children are not alone with their emotions, that they have someone to answer their questions and that they find a way of dealing with their loss that meets their needs - so that they can continue to develop in a healthy way.
