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• An estimated 3.5% of children under age 18 (approximately 2.5 million) in the United States have experienced the death of their parent​!

• An early loss of parents usually increases the probability of inadequate child care​ and worsens the family’s economic status​​.

• Children who experience parental loss are at a higher risk for many negative outcomes, including mental issues (e.g., depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, post-traumatic stress symptoms), shorter schooling, less academic success, lower self-esteem​​, and more sexual risk behaviors​.

Given the negative long-term effects associated with parental death, it is imperative that society helps children grieve in a healthy way. However, cultural beliefs and persistent misunderstandings are often standing in the way of appropriate support for children and doing them a disservice.