Grief & Loss Resources for Children & Families
Community Counseling Agencies, Support Groups, and Resources
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, you may also go to the hospital near you for assistance or contact one of the mental health 24-hour hotlines.
Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas – 24/hr Crisis Line: 214-828-1000 or ADAPT 866-260-8000
Additional Websites and Information for Dealing with Grief and Loss:
- Grief Share: Grief support groups for adults of any age who have suffered a loss
- The Warm Place: Grief support groups for children and their families
- Grief and Loss Center of North Texas: Grief support groups for various ages and specializations
- Trauma Support Services of North Texas: Local therapists and resources regarding trauma for adults and children
- Journey of Hope Plano: Grief support groups and resources
- Dougy Center Grief Support Ideas during COVID-19: Resources for support youth during the global pandemic crisis
- Grief Response for Children: Tip sheet for how to support your child after a loss
- Grief Response for Teens: Tip sheet for how to support your teen after a loss
Additional Websites and Information for Dealing with Grief and Loss:
Creating Grief Sensitive Schools
Research shows that most schools have students who have experienced trauma (www.cdc.gov). GPISD is working to create schools that mitigate the impact of trauma or loss on a child’s development and educational experience.
Staff Training
GPISD Counseling Services staff provides training to staff to recognize the types of trauma, such as:
- Witnessing violence
- Experiencing abuse or neglect
- Loss of a loved one
- Experiencing a traumatic event (fire, car wreck, natural disaster, etc.)
GPISD Staff are also trained in recognizing trauma responses which might include:
- Changes in behavior
- Lack of interest
- Change in appetite
- Change in sleep patterns
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty retaining information Counseling Services Staff receive more intensive training on interventions and ways to train staff in traumatic interventions.
Classroom and School Responses
GPISD schools have components that support students in the classroom. Some examples may include:
- Teaching coping strategies to all students
- Providing clear routines and expectations
- Social-emotional learning lessons are taught to encourage healthy development
Additional programs promote kindness, empathy, and inclusion throughout the school day
Additional Supports
Teachers and staff are also trained to reach out to the counseling services department if the trauma or loss responses continue for a sustained time frame or are making it difficult for a student to learn. Some supports that may be offered as a result include:
- Referrals to community mental health agencies provided to the family
- A campus team formed to collaborate and create behavior interventions for the student
- Small group counseling at school
- A mentor to meet with the student and offer encouragement
A Note for Parents
If your child has experienced trauma or loss, consider the following:
- Reach out to your child’s school counselor or social worker for assistance and support
- Visit GPISD Counseling Services website for information on our programs and community resources https://www.gpisd.org/Page/43781
- Read the following tip sheet from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network for ways to support your child at home (Trauma and Grief Handout)