BEREAVEMENT charity Mosaic wants youngsters to address "the elephant in the room" when it comes to death.

It is estimated that 2,500 youngsters in Dorset will be bereaved by the death of a loved one each year. This equates to 48 per week and seven per day.

Adults often try to protect children by not talking to them about the death when the reality is that children want to know the facts as it makes them feel safe.

That's why Mosaic – Supporting Bereaved Children is a Dorset is encouraging people to talk more openly about death and address“the elephant in the room”.

A survey by Dying Matters claims that almost half of Britons feel uncomfortable talking to someone who has been recently bereaved and this statistic is likely to be even higher for adults talking to children about death.

Some of the children and young people receiving support from Mosaic have kindly shared their experiences of grief ahead of Children’s Grief Awareness Week which starts on Thursday (Nov 19).

They have shared what has been helpful and unhelpful throughout their experience and also shared some advice to newly bereaved youngsters.

It encourages them to “ask questions”, “use a book to write down memories”, “remember the person who died would want you to be happy” and also

that it's okay to cry, "even if you're a boy”.

Margaret Hannibal from Mosaic said: "Talking openly about death is still seen as “the elephant in the room” but not doing so can leave bereaved children and young people isolated and struggling with their grief.

"Anger can manifest itself, as can other disruptive behaviours including risk taking behaviour and self-harm as children try to make sense of what has happened and understand their complex feelings.

"It can be a daily struggle for parents and carers to support their children when they themselves are also grieving."

For more information on supporting bereaved children visit our website www.mosaicfamilysupport.org