How to Bring Peer-To-Peer Grief Support Groups
to your School
How to Introduce our free group support services to your school
Below is information about Nā Keiki O Emalia support groups that you can share with school counselors, principals, and educators.
Also, there is a link to a form designed for school officials to request further information to have Nā Keiki O Emalia support groups in their schools.
If you’d like a more direct approach or need assistance to begin, click on the link below and fill out the form. We’re happy to help you get support groups into your child’s school.
About Nā Keiki O Emalia
Established in 2015, Nā Keiki O Emalia offers free peer-to-peer grief-facilitated groups both in schools and in the community. The group support program aims to provide essential emotional support to students who are navigating the challenges of grief.
Grieving is a natural and complex process that can profoundly impact a student’s academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being. Nā Keiki O Emalia’s trained facilitators offer a deep understanding of the unique needs of children and teens during such times. The program is designed to create a safe and nurturing environment where students can share their feelings, thoughts, and experiences with peers who are going through similar journeys.
Why Peer-to-Peer Grief Support Groups for Students in Maui:
The statistics are staggering: 1 in 15 children in Hawaii will experience the loss of a parent or sibling by the time they reach 18 years old. With the unfortunate rise of suicides, overdoses, and the lingering effects of COVID-19 in our County, there’s a stark lack of support services available for grieving children and their families.
Even more concerning is the fact that a heartbreaking 90% of youth admitted to juvenile justice facilities have experienced the loss of someone significant within the same year. This reality underscores the urgent need for intervention, not just as a moral obligation but as an essential preventive measure for the well-being of our youth and the future of Maui County.
In 2012 7 in 10 teachers (69%) had at least 1 student in class who experienced the death of a parent/guardian/sibling/close friend within the past year. The number of children who are bereaved has only gone up since that time due to Covid, overdoses, and suicides in our communities.
This is where Nā Keiki O Emalia comes into play. By creating a safe and nurturing space for students to share their feelings and experiences, Nā Keiki O Emalia aims to provide the emotional support that’s often lacking during such times. Our program can significantly help students navigate grief, foster resilience, and overcome the challenges they face.
What Participants, Parents, and School Staff Say about Nā Keiki O Emalia:
Feedback from our program’s participants underscores its effectiveness. School staff have noted enhanced focus in students involved, pointing to the supportive atmosphere of our groups. Students in Nā Keiki O Emalia groups frequently express feeling more understood and less isolated during their grieving process. Meanwhile, parents highlight noticeable improvements in their child’s behavior and academic performance. Together, these testimonials from educators, students, and parents emphasize the profound impact and value of our peer-to-peer grief support groups.
How to get involved:
While Nā Keiki O Emalia is fully equipped to conduct these support groups ourselves, we believe in the power of collaboration for deeper impact. We wholeheartedly welcome and encourage school counselors and staff to join these sessions, and we can also run these sessions without your school staff if that is preferable to you. Your involvement can enhance the sense of familiarity and trust for the students, creating an even more supportive and impactful environment. Furthermore, by collaborating, we can align our methodologies and customize the support to best cater to the specific needs of your student population.If you’re interested in bringing this much-needed peer-to-peer grief support program to your school, please fill out our online form or reach out to us for more information on how we can help your grieving students. We are happy to provide further details and address any questions you may have.
Phone: (808) 214-9832
Introducing this program to our schools provides us the chance to offer crucial assistance to those who require it the most, while also playing a role in the comprehensive development of our upcoming generations.