Kindy-McPherson J; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. D10685.
AIDS Organization: The Teresa Group, Toronto, Canada
Issues: By the year 2010, 40 million children will be orphaned by AIDS related illnesses (UNAIDS 1998). Bereaved children deal with a profound sense of loss which left untreated often results in emotional and psychological disturbance. These disturbances are further impacted by the secrecy that may surround a family member's cause of death, and can be observed in heightened levels of anxiety, anger and sadness (Teresa Group, 2001). A recent study points out that children who are bereaved but are unaware of the true cause of death (non-disclosed), are fearful and often do not feel hopeful for the future. This population of children, as large as they are, often does not receive bereavement support. Their voices remain unheard. Description: This workshop demonstrates how to work with non-disclosed children bereaved by HIV/AIDS. The developmental stages of grief/loss as they relate to children will be discussed, as well as how children can be helped to find their way from loss through to acceptance and hope. Through the use of therapeutic art activities, participants will gain an understanding of methods that can help children access and express feelings. Skills for use in both individual and group therapy will be presented. Ethical considerations in working with non-disclosed/bereaved children will also be considered. Lessons Learned: Research results indicate that non-disclosed children bereaved by HIV/AIDS who have participated in individual and group counselling, demonstrate decreased levels of anxiety, increased levels of self esteem, and appear more able to express feelings related to grief and loss (Teresa Group, 2001). Recommendations: Given the astounding statistics on the number of children bereaved by HIV/AIDS, it is imperative that workers learn the skills that are vital to maintaining the mental health and well being of surviving children.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Anger
- Child
- Counseling
- Death
- Family
- Grief
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Mental Disorders
- Psychotherapy, Group
- diagnosis
Other ID:
UI: 102277814
From Meeting Abstracts