The Queen’s death may trigger sad memories about the death of grandparents
(Picture: PA Archive)Children across London are being helped by counsellors to support them in processing the Queen’s death amid concerns it could trigger sad memories about the death of grandparents.
Place2Be, which provides schools with one-to-one counsellors for pupils, warned that children could become distressed if adults around them have been “triggered” by the Queen dying.
The charity said children will “take their lead from the adults around them” when it comes to responding to the death of the Queen, and its school counsellors are encouraging children to ask questions and talk about their feelings.
In Featherstone Primary in Ealing, two children have already brought the subject up with counsellors.
Mental health practitioner Hayley Lake said: “These two children came to England from their home countries a few years ago, and they were sad because our Queen was the only Queen they knew, as their countries don’t have a royal family.”
Place2Be Clinical Director Niki Cooper said: “[Some] children will be affected by how their parents or carers respond and could be distressed if the adults around them have been triggered by the queen dying. In our schools we will be making sure that children can ask questions and talk about what they are thinking and feeling about it.”
In advice issued to parents about coping with the death of a famous person, the charity said: “Sometimes the death of someone famous can also remind us of other losses we have faced. This reminder can amplify our grief.”
It advised parents to support their children by acknowledging their grief, and to stop “doom scrolling” by constantly reading about the death online.
At Sacred Heart and St Mary’s RC Primary Schools in Battersea, counsellors from the UP foundation are on hand to talk to children, and a spokeswoman for Ark Walworth Academy said students had a special assembly to ensure they did not “feel destabilised by upset in their families”.
