SAY Grief Services

SAY offers individual and group support via telehealth for youth grieving a death or other major loss. We work with schools across Sonoma County, and also offer educational presentations to parents, teachers, and caregivers about how to support young people who are grieving. These services are available at no cost to individual school sites and agencies in the community.

Our groups are age-specific and customized to the unique emotional and developmental needs of participants. With the support of professional mental health clinicians, youth are able to express their grief in their own time and in a way that is uniquely their own. Our therapeutic use of expressive arts provides the non-verbal tools for rich and honest communication about self and feelings.  Participants are provided a safe space where they can share their unique stories and memories while deepening their common connections with peers.

Grief Resources During COVID-19

Free Individual Grief Support:

SAY Grief Services is now offering up to 8 free sessions of individual grief support to youth ages 10-24, who have experienced the death of a person or pet. This service will be offered on a secure telehealth (video) platform for the time being, and is available in both English and Spanish. To learn more and sign up, please call 707-595-0688 (English) or 707-800-3537 x242 (Español). 

Community Groups:

SAY is currently hosting virtual wellness groups on Zoom. These groups are open to youth in the community ages 12+ and will offer a chance to connect with others and learn about coping with challenges in a healthy way. Youth can call 707-595-0688 to sign up or learn more.

Mental Health Toolkit for Youth, Parents and Caregivers: 

COVID-19 and Sonoma County’s Shelter in Place order have drastically changed our daily lives. This can bring up a lot of fear, anxiety, and even grief as plans are canceled, social distancing happens, and daily routines are completely altered. It’s a lot to process. To help during this time, SAY’s mental health clinicians have complied a few simple suggestions for how to help support young people in your life that may be struggling right now. Click the links below to view and download the PDFs in English or Spanish.

Supporting Grieving Youth – English
Apoyando a los jóvenes en duelo – En Español

Losses that can cause grief – English
Pérdidas que pueden causar dolor  – En Español

Common Grief Reactions – English
Reacciones de duelo comunes – En Español

Self-care Strategies – English
Estrategias de Cuidado Personal – En Español

For a comprehensive list of all SAY’s COVID-19 resources for youth, please click here.

SAY Grief Services Staff Contacts:

Debi Emmons, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #97008 Work Phone: 544-3299 x234work Work Email: debi.emmons@saysc.orgINTERNET

Kitu Jhawar-Terris Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #51399 Work Phone: 544-3299 x234work Work Email: kterris@saysc.orgINTERNET

Location:

2447 Summerfield Rd. Santa Rosa, CA 95405