Why Do Schools Ignore Kids Who Are Grieving or Scared?

Here’s How We Can Help

Recently I heard a podcast host say that kids are physically safer than they’ve ever been, that statistically, injuries are historically low. I was glad to hear this positive news, but all I could think about was how emotionally unsafe kids are. Currently, kids’ levels of stress are at a historical high as are their levels of anxiety and depression. I see students in my school stressed out from demanding sports schedules, insatiable transcript requirements; the list goes on. However, there is an elusive, secret stressor that is remarkably overlooked by schools because it hides in the shadows, veiled by adults’ insecurity to address it properly. It is this: many students’ lives are affected by the loss or illness of loved ones, and they are suffering quietly and alone. Educators need to take action to nurture these children who are burdened with unfortunate circumstances of grief, death, and illness.

For as long as I’ve been in Education, we’ve boasted that our schools teach to the “whole child,” but we don’t come close to addressing a grieving child’s emotional needs.

It’s strange to think that American schools provide hot meals, after school care, before school care, inclusivity clubs, counseling, pet therapy, yoga, mindfulness classes, on -site psychiatrists, yet they don’t offer an opportunity for students to talk about the trauma of experiencing the loss of a loved one or a family member’s illness. I don’t know of any school that provides a time and space for…