Special issue on strengthening school-based support for bereaved students: Editors’ introduction

Abstract

The goal of this special issue is to expand crisis intervention beyond direct services, one-on-one counseling, and dependency on community-based professionals. Hence, contributing authors were asked to present useful and practical information easily consumed by school-based mental health professionals, teachers, and parents. We recommend sharing the load of responsibility and strengthening existing social support systems within schools. We want schools, parents, and communities to consider a broader range of options when supporting children following traumatic loss. We want all adults, including parents, teachers, and staff to know the basics: what to say and what to do in order to better support children’s grief. School-based training must include crisis intervention training that addresses children’s emotional needs and provides basic information for teachers and parents. Additionally, schools and communities must strengthen collaboration, refining and improving effective treatment methods and making mental health support readily available to children on all socio-economic levels. Parents, schools, and communities need to coordinate efforts and increase sensitivity to children’s mental health needs, particularly in the area of traumatic grief. Although children are highly vulnerable to the impact of natural disasters and traumatic events, limited mental health services are available to them. Public schools offer a natural and convenient avenue for treatment. This special issue