School

Children and teens spend most of their time at school, and they take their grief with them when they go. For some, returning to school is comforting. They find support in the structure, familiarity, connections with friends, and the opportunity to focus on something other than grief. For others, it can be a challenging venture that brings additional stress, uncertainty, and worry. As a teacher, school counselor, support staff, or administrator, it’s likely you’ll work with a student grieving the death of a family member or friend. Supporting anyone in grief can be intimidating, and especially so when it’s a child or teen. We hope these ideas and suggestions will provide you with a good foundation for talking with them about their concerns and finding ways for them to feel supported and understood. You play a unique role in their lives and can have a significantly positive impact on their experience by providing support, understanding, and acceptance. (The Dougy Center) 

 Resources

Local Resources for School-Based Support & Education

Handouts

Tips for Teachers Supporting Grieving Children

Back to School with Grief

School Based Grief Activities

Tips for Healing Teens

Developmental Responses for Grieving Children

Help At School

When Death Impacts Your School- Dougy Center

Addressing Grief- Tips for Teachers & Administrators

Coping with the death of a student

Guidelines for responding to the death of a student

Memorials at school