Following a nearly 50% increase in the number of newly bereaved children year-over-year, JAG Institute calls for nationwide support in executing a comprehensive and compassionate approach to address critical public health issue.
AURORA, Colo., Aug. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Judi’s House/JAG Institute recently released the 2023 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) Key Topic Report examining the pandemic’s impact on childhood bereavement. 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.
The 2023 CBEM Key Topic Report, created with support from New York Life Foundation, builds on 2022 findings by comparing childhood bereavement rates before and after the onset of COVID-19. The pandemic compounded existing annual bereavement rates that reflected more than 260,000 children under 18 becoming newly bereaved due to the death of a parent. In 2021, this number increased to more than 383,000 – surging nearly 50%. While COVID-19 directly accounts for a portion of the increase, other socially stigmatized causes of death also contributed, including overdose and homicide.
According to the report, in 2021:
- The number of children newly bereaved due to a parent accidental overdose death grew by a shocking 60% compared to the pre-pandemic average.
- The percentage of children bereaved due to a parent homicide by gunshot swelled to a 48% increase compared to the pre-pandemic average.
- The number of children newly bereaved by a parent COVID death increased a staggering 160% compared to 2020.
- After a modest decline in children newly bereaved due to parent suicide in 2020, the number of bereaved children jumped to 27,266 – the highest in five years.
“The estimated 700,000 U.S. children under the age of 18 who experienced the death of a parent in 2020 and 2021 deserve societal understanding, sensitivity and support,” stated Dr. Micki Burns, JAG Institute chief clinical officer. “We must establish a comprehensive approach to developing and implementing resources and services to meet their needs. By uniting to invest in prevention efforts we can create societal change that ensures a compassionate response to all grieving children and families nationwide.”
The report and ancillary materials offer recommendations for researchers, practitioners, educators, policymakers, and advocates to coalesce and take action to support bereaved children.
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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 14,000 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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SOURCE Judi’s House/JAG Institute
