Comic to help young people with grief

A comic book to help young people cope with bereavement has been launched with help from Dundee University.

When People Die: Stories from Young People is a 40-page publication filled with images, stories and insights from teenagers across Scotland who have experienced bereavement.

Experts from Dundee and Strathclyde universities worked in conjunction with the brave youngsters at a series of workshops held at Polmont Young Offenders Institute and charities Richmond’s Hope and Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (Chas).

It is hoped the project can generate confident life stories for young people who are dealing with loss, and to reduce the stigma of discussing grief.

Supported by Chas, Abbie Gunn, 18, and her younger sister Emily were among the teenagers who shared their experience for the comic.

The sisters from Airdrie lost their younger brother two years ago and struggled to cope with their grief.

Abbie said: “I agreed to take part because I love writing and I was studying it at college at the time so I felt I was able to use my love for writing to help people going through a similar situation.

“Even though there were a few of us working on it, none of us spoke to each other about what happened to us but when we had finished we really came together.”

As well as reaching youngsters, the comic will equip parents, carers, teachers and peers with the ability to support in the event of bereavement.