Addressing Grief: Resources for Teachers and Parents
School-based support and increased understanding are essential when a student experiences the death of a friend or loved one. While each student will be affected differently depending on his or her developmental level, cultural beliefs, personal characteristics, family situation, and previous experiences. There are some strategies that can be helpful in supporting bereaved students.
Our counsellor, Melisa Judd, along with a compassionate team from Solstice, a local holistic wellness centre, have created a resource guide to assist us. The links below can help prepare teachers and parents to navigate discussions with students over the coming weeks.
Children and teens will experience a wide range of emotions when they experience a loss, and each person will have a unique response. There is no “right” way to grieve.
Allow for silence and tears.
Allow for laughter and joking.
Allow for curiosity.
As you support your child with their grieving…
Listen, care for, and understand them as they are.
Tell the truth and answer their questions honestly.
Encourage them to make healthy and creative choices in dealing with their grief.
Suggest they create memory rituals, talk about the person and recall memories.
Encourage them to proceed with routine as much as possible.
Seek help for your own grief process through family/friends, support groups or a professional therapist.
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Please do not hesitate to contact Melisa Judd by email to mjudd@somersfield.bm for further guidance on this issue. If you have any resources that you think we should add please forward them to development@somersfield.bm.