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What is Grief?

Grief is a universal experience that affects everyone throughout their lives.  All students inevitably face a variety of life changes, which may include the death of a fellow student, a family member, a pet, a staff member, or an individual in the school community.  Young people also grieve over other impactful non-death related  losses and transitions.  Many students will endure the breakup of families, loss of friendships, relocating communities, serious illness in the family, or having a family member incarcerated.  Students not only react to death in their own lives, but also respond to the crises in the world around them, including local tragedies, natural disasters, and wars.  Each of these instances can trigger a grief response.  Regardless of the circumstances, researchers recognize that grief has academic, behavioural, and emotional implications within the classroom (Bowie 2000).

Though talking about death can be challenging, emotional, and awkward at times, it is important that the experience of grief is shared and supported in compassionate ways. Children and youth who are grieving don't need supporters to tell them how to grieve, or attempt to fix their grief.  What they do need is to have people in their lives who can teach them that grief is a natural and healthy process.  For more information on understanding and assisting children with their grief click HERE.