In this section:
Here are some common signs and symptoms that may indicate a student is struggling following the death of a classmate:
Withdrawal or isolation from peers and activities
Excessive crying or emotional outbursts
Changes in behavior, such as increased aggression or irritability
Difficulty concentrating or completing schoolwork
Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach aches
Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
Increased anxiety or fear
Feelings of guilt or self-blame
Anger or resentment towards the deceased or others
Depression or feelings of hopelessness
Strategies for supporting students who continue to grieve over time.
How to identify students who may need ongoing support
Resources for long-term grief counseling and support groups
How to identify students who may need ongoing support
Here are some strategies for identification:
Communication and Outreach: Encourage open communication and create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable expressing their needs. Encourage students to reach out if they are struggling with grief or if they require ongoing support.
Faculty and Staff Referrals: Educate faculty and staff about the signs of prolonged grief and encourage them to refer students who may be exhibiting these signs to appropriate support services. Faculty members often have regular interaction with students and can provide valuable insights into their well-being.
Student Self-Disclosure: Some students may proactively disclose their ongoing grief and need for support. Encourage students to communicate their needs to academic advisors, counselors, or other relevant staff members. This can be done through surveys, intake forms, or individual meetings.
Observations and Behavior Changes: Pay attention to noticeable changes in a student's behavior, such as ongoing sadness, withdrawal, academic decline, increased absences, or changes in appearance or personal hygiene. These changes may indicate that the student is struggling with ongoing grief and requires additional support.
Academic Performance: Monitor changes in a student's academic performance. Significant declines, missed assignments, or consistently low grades may indicate that the student is finding it challenging to manage their grief and academics simultaneously.
Peer Observations: Encourage students to look out for one another and report concerns about their peers who may be experiencing ongoing grief. Peers often have a unique understanding of each other's emotional well-being and can provide valuable insights.
How to identify students who may need ongoing support
Prior History of Loss: Students who have experienced a recent or significant loss in their personal lives may be more likely to require ongoing support. Be aware of students who have previously disclosed or experienced grief and continue to provide a supportive environment for them.
Family or Community Referrals: Families or community members may inform the school about a student's loss or ongoing grief. Establish channels of communication to receive such referrals and follow up with the student to provide appropriate support.
It is essential to approach identification with sensitivity, respect privacy, and ensure confidentiality. Create a supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere where students feel comfortable disclosing their ongoing grief and seeking the necessary support. Collaborate with relevant staff members, such as counselors, advisors, or faculty, to gather information and develop a comprehensive understanding of each student's needs.
Long Term Support
Strategies for supporting students who continue to grieve over time include:
Regular Check-ins: Maintain regular check-ins with grieving students to assess their ongoing needs and provide ongoing support. This can be done through scheduled meetings, emails, or other forms of communication to offer a consistent source of support and ensure that their needs are being addressed.
Individual Counseling: Offer continued individual counseling sessions with a trained grief counselor or therapist.
Support Groups: Encourage students to participate in ongoing school-based support groups for grieving individuals. These groups provide a safe and supportive environment where students can share their experiences, learn from others who are also grieving, and receive ongoing validation and understanding.
Flexible Academic Support: Continue to provide academic accommodations and flexibility as needed, such as extended deadlines, modified assignments, or reduced course loads. This helps grieving students manage their academic responsibilities while allowing them the necessary time and space to cope with their grief.
Specialized Referrals: Connect students with specialized grief counselors, therapists, or external resources that offer long-term support for grief and bereavement—referrals to local grief camps.
Self-Care and Coping Strategies: Continue to educate students about self-care techniques and coping strategies that can support their ongoing well-being.
Faculty and Staff Sensitivity: Provide ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills in supporting students who are grieving.
Collaborate with Families: Maintain open lines of communication with the families or guardians of grieving students. Involve them in the support process, share resources, and collaborate on strategies that can help provide a holistic support system for the student.
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