Childhood Bereavement: An Introduction to the Section

ABSTRACT This is an introduction to a collection of papers on childhood bereavement. The nature and content of the papers was prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the millions of children all over the world who have lost a parent from this contagion. This section examines the effects the pandemic had on children’s and families’ ability to mourn, the effects of losing a loved one and mourning on children, adolescents, and emerging adults, the ways in which families and communities can help children mourn, and the need for treatment when young people do not have sufficient support in their time of mourning. An analysis of a child addresses issues that arise when treating a child in mourning.