How do school counselors support students experiencing grief or loss?

Facilitating memorial activities is a supportive way for school counselors to help students who are experiencing grief or loss. Such activities provide a structured environment where students can honor their loved ones, express their emotions, and engage in collective mourning. This process can be crucial in helping students understand and process their feelings, offering them a space to share memories and connect with peers who may be experiencing similar grief.

Additionally, memorial activities can promote healing by validating students' experiences and emotions, allowing for an open dialogue about loss within the school community. This sense of community support can aid in the grieving process by reinforcing social connections and reminding students that they are not alone in their feelings.

While connecting families to external support resources can also be beneficial, the direct facilitation of memorial activities addresses the immediate emotional needs of students in a way that fosters a supportive environment within the school. Avoiding individual counseling or offering no support would not adequately address the complex emotions students experience during times of grief.