Soul 57 gives presentations at schools about how to support grieving friends

BISMARCK, ND (KFYR) – When you lose someone close to you, you may not know what to say or do next. The grieving person may experience a variety of emotions: anger, fear and sadness. Children may be in a position where they want to be there for their grieving friend, but don’t know how to do that.

Soul 57 has been working with the Bismarck Public School system for several months to offer therapy groups, and now they want to give students who haven’t experienced loss some tools to help their friends.

During her most recent presentation at Horizon Middle School, Jenny Maattala, executive director of Soul 57, spoke to students about all the different feelings someone can have when he or she is grieving and ways to support peers.

“Even if they haven’t lost anyone, but they still want to help, we want them to know how they can get involved or just be better friends, better support for those who are grieving,” Maattala said.

The advice isn’t much different from what adults are used to hearing: Showing up and telling your friend that you care about them and that you’re sorry for their loss can all go a long way.

“So far we have really seen great progress in our children. They are excited to be part of the group. They want to learn more,” said Michelle Vollan, social worker at Horizon Middle School.

Together with the lectures, schools create ‘walls of love’, which students can decorate with memories of their lost loved ones. Maattala said it is a way for students to know that their loss has not been forgotten by their peers and that they have a community that loves and supports them.

Students are encouraged to wear blue on November 21 for Youth Grief Awareness Day during National Youth Grief Awareness Month. You can learn more about Soul 57’s resources at its website.