A Message from the President
Christina Walton
Mts, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist
Licensed Funeral Director
I have seen many children suffer trauma, of sometimes being the one to find a parent’s body who has died by suicide. These and many other children are afraid and have deep sadness in their young eyes. I cannot look away. It is and has been my purpose, to help them. They often feel alone and frightened. In my 31 years as a Funeral Director, 14 years as a Registered Therapist, and 3 years as the Clinical Director for a children’s bereavement camp, I have witnessed the impact of grief and loss on children.
The adults around them are also grieving and the family system is under great strain. These children need and deserve support as they try to live with a devastating loss.
I also know the challenges that the bereavement agencies face as they try to meet the increasing needs of grieving children and do the work well; while also trying to obtain the necessary funds required to run the agency. I personally found it stressful and overwhelming, like trying to drive the hearse and the limo at the same time.
I am ‘one’ in my therapy office; I was part of ‘several’ at Camp, and I stand with ‘many’ in our communities. I know that together, we can help these children.