Understand
Young people in Armagh say school art project helped them understand grief and loss
Overview
Pupils at St Patrick's High School in Keady, County Armagh, have shared how participating in the 'Seasons of Life' art and storytelling project helped them process their grief and connect with peers who have experienced bereavement. Run by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, the workshops encourage young people to express their feelings in a safe space, build resilience, and create collaborative artwork such as a memory tree and a mixed-media collage displayed within the school.
Key points
- Around 100 school children in counties Armagh and Tyrone participated in the 'Seasons of Life' workshops over the last year.
- The project uses storytelling and art to help bereaved young people cope with their feelings and connect with relatable peers.
- Activities included writing the names of lost loved ones on paper leaves and hanging them on a shared memory tree, as well as creating a large mixed-media collage.
- The initiative was developed by a multi-disciplinary team including the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Cruse bereavement support services.
- Dr Sinead Hannan from the Southern Trust highlighted that early intervention is vital because many children otherwise grieve silently without psychological support.
- School leaders noted that the project helped pupils build resilience, improve self-expression, and understand that asking for help is a strength.