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Grief and loss are profoundly complex experiences. Young people often turn to familiar surroundings for support as they begin to process requiring a school response that is both sensitive and developmentally appropriate. This includes adapting language and support strategies to suit the age of the students, the nature of the loss, and the unique school context.
It is vital that educators are well prepared to support students’ emotional recovery during difficult times, alongside maintaining their academic progress.
A trauma‑informed approach is crucial: establishing emotional safety, nurturing strong relationships, and understanding each student’s individual circumstances are foundational.
Be You Consultants work with schools to provide tailored support.
Ruth Jones, Be You’s National Clinical Advisor, shares some practical, general strategies to help educators support their secondary students. She also reminds us that educators need to look after their mental health and wellbeing.
Create a safe environment
Establish a school environment where students feel safe to express their emotions. Ensure there are clear channels for students to seek support, through designated staff members (such as a school counsellor).
Encourage open conversations about grief, assuring students they are not alone and that it’s okay to feel a range of emotions.
Activate internal and external referrals as required
Grief can manifest in many ways, such as sadness, anger, confusion, or even withdrawal. Learn to spot early signs that a student or colleague may need a gentle check-in to see how they’re doing.
Encourage students to talk but respect their boundaries if they aren’t ready. Sometimes, offering a quiet space to reflect or just be with their thoughts can be helpful.
Familiarise yourself with your school’s referral pathways for support as sometimes a person's grief experience may require some specialised support.
Develop classroom strategies to maintain learning flexibility
Recognise that grief may impact a student’s concentration, motivation, and performance. Consider adjusting tests where possible to grant students the time to catch up on missed work.
Be patient and understanding
Grief doesn’t have a set timeline, and recovery can be unpredictable. Grief has no strict timeline. Be patient, offer ongoing support, and check in regularly to assess how they are coping. Let them know you are there when they are ready to engage.
For educators
The above strategies can also apply to yourself and your colleagues.
Looking after your own mental health and wellbeing and setting professional boundaries is important. Be familiar with your school’s policies and procedures and identify your own protective factors.
By creating a compassionate and responsive school environment where help-seeking is supported and encouraged, educators can assist students in gradually healing from grief and loss.
This approach also ensures that students receive the emotional support they need to continue both academically and personally.
“Empowering educators with knowledge and strategies can help school settings not only be places of learning but a source of support in helping students navigate the complex journey of grief and loss.”
Be You has a whole-school trauma-informed approach to mental health and wellbeing, which includes creating safe spaces for students to talk about their grief and encouraging structured peer support.
Be You Consultants can provide guidance to schools to understand and implement practical strategies to support managing grief and loss in the school setting.
Connect with us if you have a question or we require support.
Reflective questions
- Would you know how to identify a student or staff member who may require support?
- Do you know your school’s internal and external referral pathways?
- How have you built the capacity of your team to notice when a student or staff member may need some support?
- How has your Be You Consultant provided support to your learning community?
Be You Consultant support for registered school communities includes:
Tailored advice and consultation to your specific needs and school context. Sessions for educators and parents/carers to build understanding of grief and loss responses and to encourage wellbeing, self-care, and help seeking. Support and resources for your school communities ongoing recovery.
Next steps
Not sure where to start? Connect with us
If you or someone you know needs support you can find a list of mental health support and services here.