HR 367 — A Resolution designating the month of November 2025 as "Children's Grief Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   2555

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 367
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY OTTEN, McNEILL, HOHENSTEIN, VITALI, HOWARD,
        GUZMAN, SAPPEY, MAYES, PASHINSKI, WAXMAN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
        CURRY, SANCHEZ, RIVERA AND GALLAGHER, NOVEMBER 5, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, NOVEMBER 6, 2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Designating the month of November 2025 as "Children's Grief
 2      Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, Children who experience the loss of a loved one,
 4   especially a close family member, can carry that loss with them
 5   forever and the loss sometimes causes confusion as to why their
 6   loved one was taken away; and
 7      WHEREAS, Thousands of children across this Commonwealth
 8   experience the death of a parent, sibling or other close loved
 9   one; and
10      WHEREAS, One in 11 children in this Commonwealth will lose a
11   parent or sibling by the age of 18; and
12      WHEREAS, Grief is the physical, mental and emotional response
13   to the loss of someone or something important; and
14      WHEREAS, Grief can be a lifelong experience for children and
15   symptoms can vary in duration and intensity; and
16      WHEREAS, Children grieve differently from adults and each
17   child responds differently to grief depending on age,
 1   developmental stage and level of understanding of death; and
 2         WHEREAS, Young children may struggle with understanding the
 3   finality or meaning of death; and
 4         WHEREAS, Grieving children often feel different and alone,
 5   and their grief can impact their relationships, academic
 6   performance and overall emotional well-being; and
 7         WHEREAS, Common symptoms of grief in children and youth can
 8   include depression or loss of interest in daily activities,
 9   problems sleeping, loss of appetite, fear of being alone,
10   maturity regression, believing that they can see or speak to the
11   deceased person, decline in academic performance, withdrawal
12   from peers and social activities, irritability, anger and
13   emotional outbursts; and
14         WHEREAS, Associated mental and behavioral health problems
15   include depression, posttraumatic stress reactions, substance
16   use, suicide-related behaviors and developmental impairments;
17   and
18         WHEREAS, The death of a parent, caregiver, sibling or loved
19   one is a form of childhood trauma; and
20         WHEREAS, Childhood traumatic grief is a condition that may
21   occur when a child has a trauma response to the death of an
22   attachment figure or loved one and traumatic stress reactions
23   interfere with the ability to grieve; and
24         WHEREAS, Childhood traumatic grief can cause intrusive
25   reactions, physical or physiological distress, avoidance
26   reactions and negative mood or beliefs; and
27         WHEREAS, Grieving children rely on the adults in their lives
28   to help process their grief and navigate bereavement; and
29         WHEREAS, With caring, support and understanding from family
30   members, educators, peers and community organizations, children

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 1   can learn healthy ways to cope with loss and build resilience;
 2   and
 3         WHEREAS, "Children's Grief Awareness Month," observed each
 4   November, was created to raise awareness of the needs of
 5   grieving children and to encourage open conversations about
 6   grief, loss and healing; and
 7         WHEREAS, Nonprofit organizations across this Commonwealth,
 8   including A Haven in Chester County, provide essential grief
 9   support services for children, teens, families and schools
10   helping to find hope and connection in the midst of loss; and
11         WHEREAS, It is vital that our communities recognize and
12   respond to the emotional needs of grieving children, ensuring
13   that no child grieves alone; therefore be it
14         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
15   month of November 2025 as "Children's Grief Awareness Month" in
16   Pennsylvania; and be it further
17         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the
18   children and families who have experienced profound loss and
19   express its gratitude to the counselors, educators, volunteers
20   and community organizations who walk alongside them on their
21   journey of healing.




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