Grief
Grief is an incredibly unique and personal journey, and these materials offer insights into supporting a child through grief, recognizing signs to watch for, and communicating effectively during this time. Remember, grief is not a linear process; it takes time, reflecting our deep love for someone.
Grief can come from the loss of a friend, family member, or even a parent of a friend. Some students may feel worried, confused, or have questions about what happened. Please know that as a community, we have supports in place at schools including teachers, Family School Liaison Counsellors (FSLCs), and school leadership who are available to check in with students and provide comfort.
In times of grief, we encourage students, staff, and families to reach out for support through the following options:
- Family School Liaison Counsellors: Students can visit the school to speak with our counsellors.
- Alberta Health Services: Call Access Mental Health at 403.943.1500 for intake and connection to a community counsellor.
- Foothills Community Counselling: Call 403.603.3549 or email fcc@highriver.ca.
- Solace Grief Support Society: Call 403.601.3312 or email solacegrief@gmail.com.
Please note that the above resources are not for emergencies. In the event of an emergency, please call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest urgent care centre or emergency room. For crisis support and professional counselling, you can also contact the Distress Centre at 403.266.4357 (HELP), which provides text support as well.
Talking about the death of a loved one
When speaking with your child at home, you may find the following strategies helpful:
- Keep explanations simple and honest - Use clear, age-appropriate language. Avoid euphemisms such as “went to sleep,” which can be confusing or frightening for children. It is okay to say, “A student/parent/teacher in our school community died, and that can make people feel very sad.”
- Listen more than you talk - Allow your child to share what they know, think, or feel. Some children may have many questions; others may not want to talk much at all. Both responses are normal.
- Normalize feelings - Let your child know that a range of emotions—sadness, confusion, worry, anger, or even no strong feelings at all—is normal. Reassure them that it’s okay to feel however they feel.
- Reassure your child about safety - Children may worry about their friends, parents, or caregivers. Gently reassure them that adults are working to keep them safe and that they can always come to you with worries.
- Maintain routines when possible - Regular schedules help children feel secure during times of uncertainty. Keeping familiar routines can be comforting.
