Crisis Counseling

When Death Impacts Your Campus

The campus counselor should be familiar with the procedures in the Dealing with Crisis Information. Any campus personnel with knowledge of the death of a current student or staff member or other catastrophic event impacting the campus should call the building principal and/or school counselor immediately. It is extremely important to verify the information. 

If initial notification occurs outside of school hours, the principal or counselor should initiate the phone tree to notify the school staff and to inform them of the time and location of the staff meeting the next day. If notification occurs during school hours, this may require the distribution of a written statement or a staff meeting.

An email to all counselors will be sent when a crisis team is activated.

The principal, with help of the campus counselor, will prepare a statement that will be read to students in small, naturally occurring groups such as first period classes. This statement will include information about the availability of counseling and support services and how students may access those services. Never announce the news over the PA system or in a large assembly. Research supports that students feel safer if they hear bad news in a small group from an adult that they trust.

The principal, with the help of the campus counselor, will draft a letter to be sent home with students to notify parents about the crisis. Parents will be informed how  support services will be made  available.

Six Basic Concepts of Grief

1.     Grief is a natural reaction to loss.

2.     Each student’s grief experience is unique.

3.     There are no “right” or “wrong” ways to grieve.

4.     Every death is different and will be experienced by your students in differing ways.

5.     The grieving process is influenced by a multitude of factors.

6.     Grieving never ends.

How Counselors Can Help

n  Listen without judgment.

n  Talk about the person who died, using their name and sharing memories.

n  Provide structure and routine with flexibility as needed.

n  Know that you can’t take away the pain.

n  Your role is to provide a safe atmosphere where the student can express himself.

n  Allow for feelings, responding with a calm acceptance.

n  Share concerns with your campus leadership team.

n  Take care of your own needs and feelings as well.

n  Say something that acknowledges you care and are aware of the death. “I’m sorry about your friend’s death.”