Grief/Bereavement
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Home | Resources | Contact Us | SEPAC
An interactive, statewide network that offers collaboration and support to professionals working with school age youth. The dual mission of the TLC is excellence in both suicide prevention and trauma response assistance to schools following the sudden losses due to suicide, homicide, accident and illness. The purpose is to ensure that those working with youth from a variety of disciplines and programs have up to date knowledge about mental health issues, suicide prevention, trauma response and resiliency enhancement.
Website: http://www.griefspeaks.com/id75.html
151 Centennial Avenue
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Phone: 732-235-2810
Maureen Brogan, LPC – Statewide Coordinator
Kisha Harrison –Administrator
Contact Information
Silvana Gomez, MA
Jersey City Medical Center
201-915-2268
silvana.gomez@rwjbh.org
School & Youth Organization Onsite Traumatic Loss Response and Consultation
The Traumatic Loss Coalition’s Lead Response Team provides traumatic stress management and psychological first aid following critical incidents in schools (Pre-K to college) and organizations serving youth.
Staff Development Workshops for Schools and Communities
The Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth offer workshops for schools and communities in suicide prevention (Question, Persuade, and Refer), traumatic grief, and trauma response.
Website: Traumatic Loss Coalition for Youth
Good Grief Groups in Schools: https://good-grief.org/grief-support-groups/
Good Grief Groups meet once per week over a nine-week period, and can be delivered virtually or in person. The program includes a curriculum with facilitator scripts, group activities, and student worksheets.
Resources: https://good-grief.org/resources/
What is Grief, Grief in Developmental Stages, Tips/Support
Parent Education: https://good-grief.org/parent-education/
Research tells us that parents and caregivers are the most important factor in determining the long-term health, educational, and economic outcomes for students who experience early loss and adversity.
Free Webinar 11.14.24: Preparing for Children’s Grief Awareness Day in Your Schools
https://good-grief.org/event/childrens-grief-awareness-day-2/
Your Role: Immediate Support
Provide a safe space for the student to talk, say nothing, rest, or a combination depending on the day
Normalize the grieving process and validate emotions
Provide choices whenever possible
Recognize and address physical symptoms – Can include breathing exercises and mindfulness interventions
Offer breaks or quiet time as needed
Your Role: Ongoing Support
Continue with emotional support and reassurance
Collaborate with school community
Educate student and family
Seek your own support as needed!
Communicating with Grieving Students
DO • use simple, clear language
Listen without judgment
Validate their feelings ("It's okay to feel sad, angry, or confused")
AVOID • Clichés like "everything happens for a reason."
AVOID Minimizing the loss or trying to "fix" their grief
Developmental Stages and Reactions:
School-Aged Children (7-12 years): understand death; may feel guilt; may need reassurance (Middle School)
Adolescents (13-18 years): have more nuanced understanding of death; may struggle with intense emotions; risk of isolating (High School)
Common Signs of Grief for Students
Physical Symptoms: headaches, stomachaches, fatigue – May be concerned about their own health now
Emotional Symptoms: sadness, anger, confusion, anxiety
Behavioral Changes: withdrawal, clinginess, aggression, changes in academic performance
Cognitive Changes: difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness
Resource: Video on Good Grief, https://www.youtube.com/c/GoodGriefNJ
A Center for Coping with Loss
Mission: To support children and families coping with loss and to foster resiliency and emotional well-being for those who grieve.
Grief Resources (for parents/guardians): https://imaginenj.org/grief-resources/
Training & Education: https://imaginenj.org/education-training/grief-informed-schools/
FAQ’s: https://imaginenj.org/about/frequently-asked-questions/
Giving every child, teenager and adult permission to grieve and providing grief with a voice by means of presentations and workshops that provide education, strategies, resources and support for children, teens and adults who are coping with grief due to all different types of loss
The Center's trained professionals offer their experience, empathy and understanding to the families of Samaritan Hospice patients as part of their hospice bereavement benefit. The resources of the Center are also open to anyone or any group in the community that has experienced a loss - regardless of whether or not they have used other Samaritan services.
Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Readjustment counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services.
Website: https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/
Emotional and spiritual support programs for children, youth and adults facing their own or a family member's life threatening illness, long-term diagnosis or bereavement.
Website: https://www.ahinternational.org/
Contact Information
Phone: 1-877-244-3392
Offers non-judgmental outlet for people to express their feelings and concerns when faced with difficult times regarding their pets.
Contact Information
Monday - Friday 6:30PM - 9:30PM