Mental health departments and school counselors in educational institutions need specialized training to provide appropriate, targeted support for their students. Grief is deeply personal and varies widely from one individual to another, which means it requires thoughtful, personalized care. Ongoing training is essential to help counselors stay current with the latest therapies and approaches, ensuring that every student receives the support they truly need.
Programs that encourage ongoing collaboration with local grief support nonprofits play a key role in making sure students receive the care they need. Grantor organizations like the New York Life Foundation (NYLF) and their Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative help address funding gaps and provide access to essential training materials. These partnerships ensure that schools are better equipped to support students through grief with compassion and up-to-date resources.
Maria Collins, VP Corporate Responsibility
New York Life Foundation
The collective efforts of school administrations, in partnership with mental health experts and clinicians, can play a powerful role in shaping public policy. Together, they can help establish lasting programs within school communities that ensure consistent, high-quality support for students navigating grief and adversity.
NACG
The National Alliance for Children’s Grief aims to raise awareness about the needs of children and teens grieving a death and provide education and resources to anyone who wants to support them.
National
E-Motion
A non-profit organization on a mission to ensure community is a right for all of us that provides programming for grieving individuals and grief literacy training for organizations, communities and teams
Educational
National
Jeff’s Place
Jeff’s Place offers hope and healing in a supportive community for grieving children, teens, young adults, families, and individuals.
Boston
National
Children’s Room
The Children’s Room was founded on the belief that every child, teen, and family grieving a death deserves a safe, supportive, and understanding environment.
Children
Community
Boston
BCH
The Hale Family Center at Boston Children’s hospital serves as a space where families are welcome to rest and relax in between appointments and learn more about resources at Boston Children’s Hospital and throughout Boston.
Families
Boston
Parmenter
Parmenter’s UGrieve progam combines education, partnership, and expert guidance to create a culture of compassion that truly supports grieving students including National Partnerships, Educational Videos, and Expert Collaboration.
Education
National
NY Life Foundation
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.
Education
National
Rick’s Place
Through facilitated support groups, Rick’s Place offers young people and their families a place to remember their person who has died and to avoid the sense of isolation that such a loss can produce
Community
Local
Links for Grief Support 