This November, in recognition of Children’s Grief Awareness Month, The Center for Grieving Children is joining with members of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) to launch the annual Flip the Script Campaign. This initiative, created by NACG with support from national childhood grief organizations, Dougy Center, Eluna, Experience Camps, and Judi’s House, focuses on raising awareness and providing education about childhood bereavement – flipping the script on how we, as a society, understand and support children and teens who are grieving. 

"Far too often, grief in young people can go unseen or misunderstood," said the Center for Grieving Children. "Well-intentioned adults may avoid conversations about death, minimize a child’s feelings, or rely on phrases such as 'you’ll be okay' or 'time heals all wounds.' These responses can unintentionally leave children feeling isolated in their grief. By increasing awareness and offering education, the Flip the Script Campaign can better equip families and households, schools, and communities to provide children who are grieving with the care and support they need." 

According to the JAG Institute’s 2025 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model Report, 1 in 11 children in the U.S. – or about 6.5 million – will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18. In Maine, it’s 1 in 10 children, a number that has doubled over the past decade.

"This staggering reality highlights the importance of raising awareness and ensuring children who are grieving are not left to navigate their loss alone," said the Center. 

Gretchen Johnson, executive director for The Center for Grieving Children, emphasized the significance of Childhood Grief Awareness Month.

“For children, grief can be particularly isolating," said Johnson. "They may not fully understand what they are feeling and lack the language to express it. Unresolved grief can manifest in an array of short and long-term challenges. Children – and the adults around them – need safe spaces where they can talk, ask, and feel reassured.” 

Governor Mills has officially proclaimed Thursday, November 20 as Childhood Grief Awareness Day in the State of Maine. Throughout November, The Center for Grieving Children will share resources, stories, and information designed to help individuals, families and households, schools, faith communities, and professionals to better understand the grieving process and respond with empathy. By building awareness and knowledge, the Flip the Script Campaign works toward a future where no child grieves alone. 

For more information about Children’s Grief Awareness Month, access valuable resources for supporting children who are grieving, and ways to get involved in the Flip the Script Campaign, visit https://nacg.org/flipthescript/ and follow #FlipTheScript on Facebook and Instagram.

The Center for Grieving Children is a nonprofit organization that provides a safe space, loving peer support, outreach, and education to grieving children, teens, young adults, households and the community. With services in Portland, Sanford, and virtually, The Center provides services at no cost that are led by dedicated and highly trained staff and volunteers thanks to the generous support of our community.