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

Bill Text

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
Designating the month of November 2025 as "Children's Grief
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Children who experience the loss of a loved one,
especially a close family member, can carry that loss with them
forever and the loss sometimes causes confusion as to why their
loved one was taken away; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of children across this Commonwealth
experience the death of a parent, sibling or other close loved
one; and
WHEREAS, One in 11 children in this Commonwealth will lose a
parent or sibling by the age of 18; and
WHEREAS, Grief is the physical, mental and emotional response
to the loss of someone or something important; and
WHEREAS, Grief can be a lifelong experience for children and
symptoms can vary in duration and intensity; and
WHEREAS, Children grieve differently from adults and each
child responds differently to grief depending on age,
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developmental stage and level of understanding of death; and
WHEREAS, Young children may struggle with understanding the
finality or meaning of death; and
WHEREAS, Grieving children often feel different and alone,
and their grief can impact their relationships, academic
performance and overall emotional well-being; and
WHEREAS, Common symptoms of grief in children and youth can
include depression or loss of interest in daily activities,
problems sleeping, loss of appetite, fear of being alone,
maturity regression, believing that they can see or speak to the
deceased person, decline in academic performance, withdrawal
from peers and social activities, irritability, anger and
emotional outbursts; and
WHEREAS, Associated mental and behavioral health problems
include depression, posttraumatic stress reactions, substance
use, suicide-related behaviors and developmental impairments;
and
WHEREAS, The death of a parent, caregiver, sibling or loved
one is a form of childhood trauma; and
WHEREAS, Childhood traumatic grief is a condition that may
occur when a child has a trauma response to the death of an
attachment figure or loved one and traumatic stress reactions
interfere with the ability to grieve; and
WHEREAS, Childhood traumatic grief can cause intrusive
reactions, physical or physiological distress, avoidance
reactions and negative mood or beliefs; and
WHEREAS, Grieving children rely on the adults in their lives
to help process their grief and navigate bereavement; and
WHEREAS, With caring, support and understanding from family
members, educators, peers and community organizations, children
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can learn healthy ways to cope with loss and build resilience;
and
WHEREAS, "Children's Grief Awareness Month," observed each
November, was created to raise awareness of the needs of
grieving children and to encourage open conversations about
grief, loss and healing; and
WHEREAS, Nonprofit organizations across this Commonwealth,
including A Haven in Chester County, provide essential grief
support services for children, teens, families and schools
helping to find hope and connection in the midst of loss; and
WHEREAS, It is vital that our communities recognize and
respond to the emotional needs of grieving children, ensuring
that no child grieves alone; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of November 2025 as "Children's Grief Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the
children and families who have experienced profound loss and
express its gratitude to the counselors, educators, volunteers
and community organizations who walk alongside them on their
journey of healing.
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