Strategies to help support students through grief
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Trauma caused by COVID-19 and other scenarios has created very clear the will need to present students with grief support when they are at college, according to David Schonfeld, director of the National Heart for School Disaster and Bereavement at Children’s Healthcare facility Los Angeles. This short article outlines 5 practices universities can utilize with learners having difficulties with grief, which includes decreasing their homework load for a short time and supplying them with age-appropriate methods to help them cope.
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Source connection The death of a loved one can be one of the most difficult life experiences for someone to cope with. Grief can be particularly challenging for students. Learning how to help children and young adults cope with grief is an important part of supporting their educational progress.
One effective way to support students with grief is to provide them with an appropriate network of mental health professionals. They may need to talk with a school counselor, or a psychiatrist or psychologist outside of school. By providing a reliable resource for the students to turn to, they are more likely to receive the right type of support for coping with their grief.
Be mindful of adjusting the environment to better accommodate their needs. For example, if the student is having difficulty concentrating, allow them to work in a quiet space or to work on their own. If they are having difficulty staying organized, provide them with reminders to complete tasks or an extension on timelines.
Encourage students to stay connected with their peers and other adults. Research shows that maintaining social interactions with peers can help support students through the grieving process. Additionally, empower the student by providing them with active roles in their community, such as peers or mentors, to help maintain a positive outlook and foster relationships.
Finally, provide students with access to activities that promote better emotional health. Exercise, for example, has been proven to help reduce stress and promote well-being. Encourage students to explore hobbies, interests and leisure activities that may bring them joy and provide a break from the intensity of their loss.
Supporting students through grief is not an easy task. It requires patience, sensitivity, empathy and understanding. However, by providing the proper resources and environment, students can maintain focus and make progress in their education while recovering from their loss.
