A new report indicates that 1 in 12 U.S. children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18.
“The death of a parent, sibling, or other important person in a child’s life is one of the most frequently reported disruptive childhood experiences and without appropriate support, can lead to adverse health and welfare outcomes,” stated Dr. Micki Burns, JAG Institute chief clinical officer.“
DENVER (PRWEB)
March 22, 2023
A new report indicates that 1 in 12 U.S. children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18, or approximately 6 million youths. The JAG Institute, in partnership with the New York Life Foundation, today released the 2023 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) National Report which approximates rates of U.S. childhood bereavement. The JAG Institute provides groundbreaking research, education and training to help communities understand the magnitude of childhood bereavement and gain the evidence based tools they need to address the growing need.
To put this report in context, if there are 24 children in a kindergarten class, two of them will lose a parent or sibling by the time they turn 18. Childhood bereavement is a critical issue and an increasingly important national priority. The 2023 CBEM National Report indicates a growing number of children are projected to experience bereavement by adulthood. Year-over year data show a percentage increase from a projected 7.7 percent of children experiencing the death of a parent or sibling to 8.3 percent of children in 2023 findings.
“The death of a parent, sibling, or other important person in a child’s life is one of the most frequently reported disruptive childhood experiences and without appropriate support, can lead to adverse health and welfare outcomes,” stated Dr. Micki Burns, JAG Institute chief clinical officer. “CBEM results are essential to our understanding of the prevalence of bereavement amongst children in our communities. With this data, we can help create support systems and grief-informed communities so that children can find hope and healing through their grief.”
Projected results from the CBEM data help individuals and organizations grow support systems for childhood bereavement by cultivating public engagement, increasing awareness, advocacy and policy efforts, and securing financial means to fund services for grieving children and families.
The JAG Institute is the research arm of Judi’s House, a nonprofit created to help children and families grieving a death find connection and healing. Since its founding in 2002, the organization has served more than 13,000 children and caregivers with Comprehensive Grief Care® at no cost to families. In addition, the agency provides training and education to K-12 schools, universities, mental health professionals, and the community-at-large through innovative tools and research. For more information on Judi’s House and JAG Institute, visit judishouse.org.
About Judi’s House/JAG Institute
Judi’s House was founded on the belief that all bereaved children and families should have access to effective and compassionate care. Former NFL quarterback Brian Griese was just 12 years old when his mother, Judi, died from breast cancer. Brian and his wife, Brook Griese, PhD, a clinical child psychologist specializing in trauma and loss, founded Judi’s House in her memory in 2002. The mission of Judi’s House is to help children and families grieving a death find connection and healing, while JAG Institute helps further this mission through comprehensive research and training initiatives. Judi’s House has supported more than 13,000 youth, ages 3-25, and caregivers, toward its vision that no child should be alone in grief. To learn more, visit judishouse.org.
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