Grief Education: A Necessary Support for Students During Difficult Times

November ushers in the holiday season, a time traditionally filled with joy and togetherness. However, for many, this season can be challenging, especially for those who are grieving. According to The National Alliance for Children's Grief, 1 in 12 students will lose a parent or sibling by the age of 18. Additionally, approximately 25% of children are grieving at any particular time. For more information visit: https://www.newyorklife.com/assets/foundation/docs/pdfs/2024-State-of-Grief- Report.pdf

Grief incorporates not only death but loss associated with sports injuries, divorce, the dissolution of friendships and so much more. Schools play a crucial role in supporting students during such times, providing education and resources to help them navigate their emotions and build resilience.

In January 2024, Governor Phil Murphy signed S3330/A5015, requiring New Jersey school districts to include grief education as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. Starting in grades 8 through 12, students will learn about grief's physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, effective coping mechanisms, and available resources, including in-school and external support. For more information visit: https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/ news/562024/20240104d.shtml

At Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, NJ, grief education has long been a focus, especially during November. The school takes a proactive approach to equip students with the skills and resources they need to address grief and loss. Here’s how Union Catholic integrates grief education into its curriculum and school community.

Peer Mentorship and Partnerships

Union Catholic partners with Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, a grief support and education organization. For over 10 years, Imagine has collaborated with the school to provide peer mentorship and classroom presentations.

• Peer Mentor Training Day: Each year, select students participate in a training program at Imagine, developing leadership and support skills to help grieving classmates.
• Religion Class Presentations: Imagine delivers sessions to freshmen and junior classes, teaching students how to support their peers and themselves during times of grief.
  • In a 2024-2025 survey of 228 students who participated in the program this year:
    • Over 80% of students reported having experienced loss
    • 93% of students who viewed this presentation indicated that “hearing the student mentors speak about their personal experiences may help me in dealing with my own loss/grief and/ or help me when I assist my friends through grief/loss”.
    • Over 88% of students thought grief education should be taught in schools
    • Over 93% of students indicated that they would recommend this program to others
• Additional Information: Listen to Union Catholic’s radio and podcast interviews about the program at Union Catholic

http://www.wnyc.org/story/covid-transformed-how-we-grieve-nj-schools-are- taking-notice

• https://open.spotify.com/episode/1OeS2Pii7P1jFrua9l1wDa

 

Imagine’s mission to foster resilience and emotional well-being aligns with Union Catholic’s commitment to nurturing compassionate and emotionally healthy students. For more information on Imagine’s programs, visit imaginenj.org.

Recognizing Children's Grief Awareness Day

Children’s Grief Awareness Day, observed on the third Thursday of November, emphasizes the importance of supporting grieving children. Union Catholic participates in this national event through awareness-building activities such as:

• Grief Tree: Students can contribute messages of support or leaves with loved ones' names to a shared display.
• Butterfly Stickers: A symbol of transformation and hope, butterfly stickers are handed out to help spark conversations about grief.
• Announcements and Social Media Campaigns: The school raises awareness through educational messages displayed throughout the school and in online posts to engage the broader community.

Educators can find more resources for Children’s Grief Awareness Day at childrensgriefawarenessday.org.

Accessing Resources from the Coalition to Support Grieving Students

Educators are encouraged to explore resources from the Coalition to Support Grieving Students, which provides free, practical tools for addressing grief in school settings. Their website, GrievingStudents.org, offers:

• Over 20 video training modules featuring expert commentary and real-life stories.
• Free handouts and reference materials tailored to educators and school staff.
• Strategies for creating an environment of empathy and support.

York Life’s Grief Sensitive Schools Initiative

New York Life has launched a groundbreaking program called the Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative to better equip educators and other school personnel to support grieving students. More information can be found at https://www.newyorklife.com/foundation/bereavement-support/grief-sensitive-schools- initiative

• Free presentation given by the New York Life workforce
• Raise awareness about the prevalence of childhood bereavement
• Training, practical tools and a connection to a network of support services
• $500 one time grant for schools to support grief sensitive programming

Professional Development Opportunities

Union Catholic supports continuous learning for educators and counselors by attending and presenting at conferences and professional development sessions. Organizations such as the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), New Jersey School Counselor Association (NJSCA), and the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) host workshops on grief education and resources.

Educators are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues and share best practices to build stronger support networks. Union Catholic’s team is always open to sharing insights and successes to help other schools implement effective grief education programs. For more information reach out to Director of School Counseling, Dr. Jennifer Dixon at jdixon@unioncatholic.org

Conclusion

Grief education is an essential part of fostering emotional well-being among students. Schools like Union Catholic High School demonstrate the profound impact of proactive grief education and community partnerships. By equipping students with the tools to navigate loss, we help them transform grief into resilience, empathy, and compassion—skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

For educators seeking to implement or enhance grief education, Union Catholic’s model and the resources highlighted above offer a strong foundation for making a meaningful difference in the lives of grieving students.