Heartfelt Hellos: A Moment of Connection

Instructions: Take a deep breath and find a comfortable position. Reflect on the following questions. You don't need to share your answers aloud, but hold them in your thoughts as we begin our session.

1. What is one feeling you are bringing into this space today?
   
   
   
2. What is one hope you have for yourself or for our community as we talk about supporting one another through tough times?
   
   
   

Navigating Grief: Understanding Our Journey

What is Grief?

Grief is a natural and powerful response to loss. While we often associate grief with the death of a person, it's important to remember that grief can also arise from many other types of losses. This could include the loss of a pet, a significant friendship, a move to a new place, a change in family dynamics, or even the loss of a dream or expectation. Each of these situations can trigger feelings of sadness, confusion, and a sense of emptiness.

Grief is not a single emotion; it's a complex process that involves a wide range of feelings, thoughts, and even physical sensations. It's a journey, not a destination, and everyone's journey looks a little different. There's no "right" or "wrong" way to grieve.

How Does Grief Show Up?

Grief can affect us in many ways, and these reactions can vary from person to person, and even change for the same person over time. Some common ways grief might manifest include:

• Emotional Responses: Deep sadness, crying, anger, guilt, anxiety, loneliness, confusion, numbness, or even relief.
• Physical Sensations: Fatigue, changes in sleep patterns (too much or too little), changes in appetite, headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension, or a heavy feeling in the chest.
• Cognitive (Thought) Changes: Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, forgetfulness, feeling distracted, questioning one's beliefs, or preoccupation with the loss.
• Behavioral Shifts: Withdrawal from social activities, restlessness, irritability, lack of motivation, or an increased desire to be around others.

It's important to be patient with yourself and others as you navigate these different feelings and experiences.

The Importance of Coping

Dealing with grief effectively means finding healthy ways to cope with these intense emotions and changes. Coping strategies are the tools we use to manage stress, adapt to difficult situations, and maintain our well-being. When we cope in healthy ways, we acknowledge our feelings, rather than bottling them up, and find constructive outlets for them.

Healthy coping doesn't mean you stop feeling sad or that the loss disappears. It means finding ways to live with the loss and continue moving forward, even with the pain. It's about building resilience and finding moments of peace and connection amid the sorrow.

Finding Support

One of the most powerful tools in navigating grief is seeking and accepting support from others. You don't have to go through this alone. Talking to trusted friends, family members, teachers, or a school counselor can provide comfort, understanding, and practical help. Sharing your story and listening to others can help you feel less isolated and remind you that your feelings are valid.

Support can also come from engaging in activities that bring you comfort, connecting with nature, expressing yourself creatively, or participating in community events. Remember, reaching out is a sign of strength, and there are always people who care and want to help.

Coping Cards: Building Your Toolkit

Objective: To identify and discuss various healthy coping strategies for dealing with grief and difficult emotions.

Instructions:

1. Work in your small groups.
2. You will receive a set of cards, each with a different coping strategy. Spread them out on your table.
3. Round 1: My Toolkit
   • Each person silently chooses 2-3 cards that represent coping strategies they already use or would like to try when feeling overwhelmed or sad.
   • Share your chosen cards with your group. Briefly explain why you chose them.
4. Round 2: Group Discussion
   • As a group, discuss the remaining cards. Are there any new strategies you learned about? Are there any that you think would be particularly helpful for others? Why?
   • Can you think of any other healthy coping strategies not listed on the cards?
5. Be respectful of everyone's feelings and choices. There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to coping.

Coping Card Ideas (Teacher to cut into individual cards):

• Talk to a trusted friend or adult
• Listen to music
• Write in a journal
• Exercise or go for a walk
• Draw, paint, or create art
• Spend time in nature
• Watch a comforting movie or TV show
• Practice deep breathing or mindfulness
• Help someone else
• Spend time with a pet
• Read a book
• Cook or bake
• Get enough sleep
• Limit social media/news exposure
• Engage in a hobby
• Allow yourself to cry
• Seek professional help (counselor, therapist)
• Connect with spiritual practices (if applicable)
• Set small, achievable goals
• Eat nutritious meals

Open Heart Discussion: Connecting and Supporting Each Other

Objective: To facilitate a safe and empathetic discussion about shared experiences of grief and strategies for mutual support.

Instructions:

• Gather as a whole group.
• Remind students of the importance of respectful listening and sharing.
• Encourage participation, but do not force anyone to speak.
• Use the following prompts to guide the conversation:

Discussion Prompts:

1. What was one new coping strategy you discovered or considered during the Coping Cards Activity?
   
   
   
2. Why is it important to have different coping strategies?
   
   
   
3. What are some ways we can create a supportive environment for each other, especially when someone is going through a difficult time?
   
   
   
4. Who are some trusted adults or friends you feel comfortable talking to when you need support?
   
   
   
5. What is one small act of kindness or support you could offer to a classmate or friend who might be struggling?
   
   
   
6. What does it mean to be empathetic towards someone who is grieving?
   
   
   

My Healing Path: Reflection and Resources

Instructions: Take a few moments to reflect on what we've discussed today. Your responses are for your own personal reflection and do not need to be shared unless you choose to.

1. Thinking about today's discussion and activities, what is one new insight you gained about grief or coping with loss?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What is one coping strategy from the Coping Cards Activity or discussion that you feel you could try or use more often?
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Who are some people or resources you can reach out to if you need support in the future? (List at least two)
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. What is one thing you can do for yourself today or this week to practice self-care?
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. If a friend or classmate was struggling with loss, what is one piece of advice or support you would offer them?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Guiding Grief: Teacher Script

Introduction & Warm-Up: Opening Our Hearts (5 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Good morning/afternoon everyone. Thank you for being here today. I know that sometimes life can throw us curveballs, and it's important to have a space where we can acknowledge those moments and support each other. Today, we're going to spend some time talking about grief and loss, and how we can navigate these challenging emotions.

To start, I invite you to take a moment for quiet reflection. I'm going to hand out our Heartfelt Hellos Warm Up. Please take a moment to read the questions and reflect on your answers silently. You don't need to share them aloud, but let these thoughts guide you as we begin. This is a safe space for all of us."

(Distribute Heartfelt Hellos Warm Up and allow 2-3 minutes for quiet reflection. Observe the room, maintaining a calm presence.)

(Teacher says): "Thank you for taking that moment. Our goal today is to create an open and supportive environment where we can explore what grief is, how it affects us, and healthy ways to cope. It's okay to feel whatever you're feeling, and remember that you are not alone."

Understanding Grief: What It Feels Like (5 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Let's start by understanding what grief truly is. Often, when we hear the word 'grief,' we think immediately of the death of a loved one. And while that is a significant form of grief, it's important to recognize that grief can stem from many other types of loss as well."

(Advance to Slide 2: "What is Grief?" on the Grief & Growth Slide Deck)

(Teacher says): "As you can see on the slide, grief is a deep sorrow, usually caused by someone's death, but it can also come from other losses like the end of a friendship, the loss of a pet, moving away from a familiar home, or even a change in health or abilities. Grief is complex, and there's no single 'right' way to experience it. It affects each of us uniquely."

(Advance to Slide 3: "How Does Grief Show Up?" on the Grief & Growth Slide Deck)

(Teacher says): "Grief doesn't just impact us emotionally; it can show up in our bodies, our thoughts, and our behaviors. You might feel exhausted, have trouble sleeping, lose your appetite, or have difficulty concentrating in class. You might feel angry, confused, or even numb. These are all normal reactions to loss. Has anyone noticed any of these general reactions in themselves or others, without sharing specifics of course? You can just nod or shake your head. It's just to acknowledge that these feelings are common."

(Allow a brief pause for students to acknowledge.)

(Teacher says): "Now, I'm going to hand out a short reading called Navigating Grief Reading. This reading will give us a bit more information about what grief is and how it can affect us. You can read it quietly to yourselves, or I can read it aloud if that's preferred."

(Distribute Navigating Grief Reading. Allow 2-3 minutes for reading. Offer to read aloud if appropriate for the group.)

Coping Strategies: Building Our Toolkits (10 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Understanding grief is the first step, and the next important part is learning how to navigate those feelings in healthy ways. We all need different tools in our emotional toolkits to help us through tough times."

(Advance to Slide 4: "Building Our Coping Toolkit" on the Grief & Growth Slide Deck)

(Teacher says): "As the slide shows, healthy coping strategies are ways we manage our feelings and adapt to difficult situations. They don't make the pain disappear, but they help us live with it and continue moving forward. We're going to do an activity called Coping Cards Activity to explore some of these strategies."

(Explain the Coping Cards Activity instructions clearly, as outlined in the activity material. Divide students into small groups. Distribute the coping cards.)

(Teacher says): "In your small groups, you'll have a set of cards with different coping strategies. First, each of you will silently choose 2-3 cards that you either already use or would like to try. Then, you'll share why you chose them with your group. After that, discuss the remaining cards and any other strategies you can think of. Remember to listen respectfully and encourage each other. I'll be circulating if you have any questions."

(Circulate among groups, listen in, offer gentle prompts if groups are stuck, and provide support as needed. Remind them of the time. Refer to the Coping Cards Activity for full instructions.)

Sharing & Support: An Open Heart Discussion (5 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Okay everyone, let's bring our attention back to the whole group. Thank you for engaging so thoughtfully in that activity. Sharing our feelings and listening to others can be a powerful part of healing."

(Advance to Slide 5: "Finding Support: You Are Not Alone" on the Grief & Growth Slide Deck)

(Teacher says): "As the slide says, you are not alone. Sharing helps us feel connected. I have some discussion prompts on our Open Heart Discussion Guide that I'd like to use to facilitate a conversation with the whole group. Remember our guidelines for respectful discussion: listen actively, share when you're comfortable, and be empathetic to what others are saying."

_(Lead the discussion using the prompts from the Open Heart Discussion Guide. For example:)

• Teacher: "What was one new coping strategy you discovered or considered during the Coping Cards Activity that you hadn't thought of before?"
• Teacher: "Why do you think it's important to have a variety of coping strategies?"
• Teacher: "What are some ways we can create a supportive environment for each other in our school community, especially when someone is going through a difficult time?"
• Teacher: "Who are some trusted adults or friends you feel comfortable talking to when you need support?"

(Guide the discussion, ensuring all voices are heard and the conversation remains supportive and focused. Manage time carefully.)

Reflection & Closure: My Healing Path (5 minutes)

(Teacher says): "Thank you all for your honesty and openness in that discussion. As we begin to wrap up, I want to emphasize that grief is a journey, and it's okay to not be okay. Healing takes time, and support is always available."

(Advance to Slide 6: "Moving Forward: Hope & Healing" on the Grief & Growth Slide Deck)

(Teacher says): "On the slide, you'll see some important reminders and resources. I'm also going to hand out our My Healing Path Worksheet. Please take a few minutes to reflect on the questions on this worksheet. This is for your own personal reflection, and you don't need to share your answers unless you choose to."

(Distribute My Healing Path Worksheet and allow 2-3 minutes for students to write.)

(Teacher says): "Finally, to close our session, please complete the Finding Peace Cool Down. This will help us reflect on one key takeaway."

_(Distribute Finding Peace Cool Down.)

(Teacher says): "Remember, our school counselor, other trusted adults like teachers or staff, and even national resources like the Crisis Text Line are here to help. You can text HOME to 741741 anytime. Please take care of yourselves and each other. If you need to talk more, please don't hesitate to reach out to me or any of the resources mentioned. Thank you."

(Collect My Healing Path Worksheet and Finding Peace Cool Down if desired, or allow students to keep them.)

Finding Peace: One Takeaway

Instructions: Before you leave today, please take a moment to reflect on our discussion and activities. In your own words, complete the following sentence:

One thing I will take away from today about grief or coping is...