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From Shadow to Light: Supporting Grieving African American Youth Through Multiple Connectedness

From Shadow to Light: Supporting Grieving African American Youth Through Multiple Connectedness. Dr. Laura S. Wheat, LPC, NCC Georgia Regents University Augusta, GA. Overview. Introduction Case Example Grief in Adolescence – incl. challenges for African American Youth PVEST

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From Shadow to Light: Supporting Grieving African American Youth Through Multiple Connectedness

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  1. From Shadow to Light: Supporting Grieving African American Youth Through Multiple Connectedness Dr. Laura S. Wheat, LPC, NCC Georgia Regents University Augusta, GA

  2. Overview • Introduction • Case Example • Grief in Adolescence – incl. challenges for African American Youth • PVEST • Multiple Connectedness • Strategies for Support

  3. The Case of Rashad

  4. Adolescents, in creating individual identity, view themselves as invincible and deny the idea of “my personal death.”

  5. Adolescent Grief • Threatens natural branching away from family • Disrupted peer relationships and school life possible • As they grow older, their responses begin to resemble adult reactions

  6. Adolescent Grief • May also have combination of more childlike reactions mixed with adult responses • May feel overwhelmed by emotions and unable to discuss with families • Peers’ opinions extremely significant

  7. Adolescent Grief • Exaggeration of natural coping mechanisms • Withdrawal • Aggression • Risk taking behaviors

  8. Grieving African American Youth • Limited research • Often “invisible” • May be stigmatized due to stereotyping • Consider within group differences while also keeping general possibilities in mind

  9. Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST)

  10. Multiple Connectedness • “Thick” support • Disenfranchised youth tend to have more positive outcomes when connected to multiple systems • Systems also need to be connected to each other as well as the teen

  11. Strategies to Support Multiple Connectedness in AAY • Start by adding connections based on the grieving youth’s needs and strengths (PVEST) • “snowball” connections may be more natural • Seek connections that are culturally/contextually relevant • Provide education so that everyone is on the same page about grief • Look for connections that support positive identity development after loss (role models)

  12. Brainstorm Time!

  13. Contact me: Email: lauraswheat@gmail.com Cell: 803-524-5020

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