The most effective way for schools to support students through the profound impacts of grief and trauma is through proactive preparation and planning.
When an unexpected death or traumatic event occurs in the school, school administration must communicate, guide, and care for students, staff, and parents during an emotionally stressful time. Many school leaders find themselves unprepared.
The school environment is crucial to a child’s overall well-being, offering a structured and supportive setting that fosters academic, social, and emotional growth. However, schools are not immune to the harsh realities of sudden and unexpected death and trauma, which can profoundly disrupt this nurturing atmosphere.
Understanding the frequency of unexpected deaths or traumas in schools is challenging due to the diverse scenarios that can occur. These events may include suicides, accidents, overdoses, homicides, and routine medical crises. Despite the varying nature of these incidents, the profound and enduring effects on student well-being are often similar, leading to significant disruptions and adverse social, emotional, and academic consequences. This underscores the necessity for comprehensive support systems to mitigate the impact of such traumatic events.
At TGS, we specialize in proactive planning to support schools in navigating unexpected grief and trauma. Our comprehensive approach focuses on five key areas:
Discover how TGS Proactive Planning can empower your school community to navigate unexpected challenges with resilience and compassion.
Preparing in advance for unexpected death and trauma is crucial not only to protect the well-being of students, but for the entire school community. When your school is not prepared for an unexpected death or trauma, the following consequences are likely to occur.
Students:
Emotional & psychological consequences:
Social consequences:
Academic consequences:
Physical consequences:
Parents:
Teachers and staff:
Impact on school environment:
To learn more about how Traumatic Grief Solutions can help you proactively prepare for unexpected grief and trauma in your school, click below to get started with a TGS assessment.
“Dr. Levin’s skill and compassionate expertise are incredible resources for individuals, families, and organizations. I highly recommend her services and her programs for schools and corporate settings.”
–Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, LCSW, PhD: Founder and CEO of The Center for Connection; author of New York Times Bestsellers The Whole-Brain Child & No-Drama Discipline
“Dr. Levin’s services are greatly needed in our schools. Administration and counselors need more training and support to be better prepared to meet the needs of our students and their parents when unexpected loss and trauma occurs in the schools and the world at large.”
–Ken Gompert, MA PPSC, School Counselor, Katella High School, Anaheim Unified High School District
“Grief and trauma have a significant impact on student well-being in the school setting, which I witness firsthand. As a parent and school administrator, I highly recommend the services provided by Traumatic Grief Solutions. The school community needs more support preparing for unexpected grief and trauma so that when it does occur, we are ready to meet the needs of our students, parents and staff.”
– Natalie Stevens, Associate Director of Enrollment Management, Hillbrook School, Los Gatos, CA