On April 6, Octavio Ruiz Muñoz Jr. of Granby lost his life after a car accident. The 11-year-old was in the car with his family when it went off the road in Clear Creek County. He went by the nickname Junior and was a sixth grader at East Grand Middle School. Junior was “was known for being happy; he always had a smile on his face,” his family wrote in his obituary.

Since the accident, the Ruiz family and everyone who knew Junior have been dealing with the loss. Many community members have been affected by the accident, especially his middle school classmates. Mind Springs Health in Granby has offered guidance on how to help children process their grief after losing someone close to them.

“Mind Springs Health is committed to providing resources and guidance to help children and their families navigate challenging times,” the mental health center wrote in a news release.

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The strategies below can assist family members and caregivers:

Understanding children’s grief

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Children’s reactions to grief can vary widely based on their age, development and previous experiences with loss. Acknowledge their feelings, keeping in mind that not all children experience traumatic stress in the same way, and this is age dependent. With support, many children are able to recover and thrive.

Providing a safe space

Creating a safe and supportive environment is crucial for children dealing with grief. Assure your child that he or she is safe. Encourage open communication, allowing children to express their feelings without fear of judgment. Depending on their age, children may also blame themselves for events that are completely out of their control. Explain that they are not responsible.

Encouraging expression

Children may struggle to express their feelings verbally. Allow children to express their grief in ways that are comfortable and meaningful to them. For some children, this may include creative outlets such as art, music or play. For others, this may involve physical movement or safe outlets for difficult feelings.

Supporting the family

Families play a critical role in a child’s grief journey, and a supportive caregiving system is key. It is also important for adults to be aware that some children recover quickly while others recover more slowly. Additionally, adults should remain mindful of how they are personally impacted by tragedy to promote healthy role-modeling behaviors for their child.

Seeking treatment

Some children do not recover on their own, but there is hope. When needed, a mental health professional trained in evidence-based trauma treatment can help children and families cope and move towards recovery.

“Children, like adults, experience grief, but their understanding and reactions to tragedy are often different,” Mind Springs Health stated. “Studies show that early mental health interventions are key to reducing symptoms after a traumatic event, especially for those who receive treatment within three months of an event.”

Types of mental health care provided

Mind Springs offers outpatient counseling and therapy for community members with mental health challenges. Several in-person providers are available at the Granby office.

“We also span 10 counties so we have lots of telehealth providers as well,” said Laura Robinson, a local therapist at Mind Springs. “So a very diverse range of services, from case management to regular outpatient counseling.”

Care is individualized to a child’s age and needs.

If it’s a really young kiddo, we do often bring parents into the session as well,” Robinson said. “We’ll think through different family interventions to help the parents support the kiddo in the best possible way.”

Those helping a child through his or her grief can reach out to Mind Springs Health. Call 970-887-2179 to schedule an appointment or learn more about what the center offers.

Resources for all

Unfortunately, this is not the only tragic loss suffered in Grand County recently. Winter Park Competition Center coach Dallas LeBeau, Ken Fosha of Drowsy Water Ranch, active local legion members Ronald and Judy Servis, and Roger Hedlund who was a part of many Grand County organizations and businesses such as Grand County Search and Rescue and the Grand Foundation, all died in the last couple of weeks.

Many community members from young to old are dealing with grief currently and there is no shame in asking for help. Anyone looking for local mental health resources should visit BuildingHopeGrand.com. You can contact Colorado Crisis Services to speak with someone by calling 1-844-493-TALK or text “TALK” to 38255. If you or a loved one is in a crisis situation dial 911.