Hurtful/Helpful T-shirts
Suggested Group(s): Teen
Purpose: To give the group members an opportunity to share about their grief experiences
Task/need: Living on the grief spiral, receiving continued support, relating the loss to a context of meaning
Activity Setup Ideas:
- Talk to group members about how sometimes after the death many people don’t know what to say to them or how to say it in a way that can be helpful. Other people may have done things that the group members really found helpful.
Materials:
- 2 XL T-shirts
- Fabric Markers
Description: Divide the group into two groups. One group is assigned to write things on their T-shirt that others did for them that were helpful following the death. The other group is assigned to write things on their T-shirt that others did for them that were hurtful following the death. The group members also may decorate the shirts with drawings or anything else they might like.
Once each group is finished with their T-shirt, the two groups switch T-shirts and add their thoughts to the ones that were already written by the other group.
Activity Wrap Up Ideas:
- This activity can be wrapped up by bringing the two groups together and reading what they wrote on their shirts. Group members can be asked to explain their statements or give examples of their experiences.
