- As educators, one of our fundamental goals is to help students learn from their experiences. While the faculty and staff of Georgia Tech are coping with our own reactions following a loss, we also care about the welfare and well-being of the students with whom we interact.
- In the wake of an unexpected loss, it is often helpful to provide students with a structured opportunity to discuss their experience and reactions. Allowing students to talk about their experience with a trusted faculty member is one of the best ways to reestablish a sense of security and to help students to cope with their stress and grief. Here are some suggestions to achieve those goals:
- You may want to set aside time in class to discuss the loss and the students’ thoughts and feelings. Doing so will normally help students to be better able to return to the academic work at hand. Opportunities for this supportive processing of the event should happen as soon as possible after the loss occurs.
- Let students know that each person will have an opportunity to talk but that no one will be required to participate. If students choose not speak, remind them of your office hours, e-mail address, and/or willingness to meet one-on-one.
- Ask that the students speak only for themselves, as no one can possibly speak about how someone else is reacting. Remind them that everyone has a unique perspective on what has happened and that the focus will be on support, not judgment.
- Emphasize that talking about the loss at their own personal pace can be a good and healing thing to do. If you share some of your feelings, it may encourage students to talk. You might say: “I’m still (sad, shaken, upset) by the loss that occurred on ___. I’m glad to be with all of you again. How are each of you (feeling, doing, coping) with this?"
- Another way to initiate the discussion is to ask students to share one word that best describes their reactions to the loss. Write these words on the board to create a cumulative “picture” of the impact of the incident.
- Remember that the class discussion is not about establishing the facts of the loss. It is about the expression of thoughts and feelings. Faculty may respond to students’ statements with reflective comments such as:
1) “I can hear how much _______ meant to you.”
2) “It sounds like this loss really impacted you…”
3) “It must hurt a lot to remember it that way.”
4) “It makes sense to be feeling so many emotions right now.” - When the students finish talking, a moment of silence might be helpful. If you are worried about a particular student, approach them privately.
- After a loss, students often question themselves for feeling the way they do. They will need reassurance that their feelings are normal reactions to an abnormal situation. Finding out that their fellow students are having some of the same reactions can also be a great relief.
- Let students know that the Center for Mental Health Care & Resources is available and eager to provide support to students. To take advantage of these services, students should reach out to the Center at (404) 894-2575.
- If you would like a Center staff member to consult with you about how to lead a classroom discussion or to help facilitate a discussion, please call (404) 894-2575.
- If you are concerned about your own reactions to the tragedy, the Employee Assistance Program - through the Office of Human Resources - provides guidance and resources for seeking outpatient therapy.