Grief and school communities: the impact of social context, a comparison between Australia and England

This study investigated whether secondary schools in Australia and England had a plan to manage traumatic incidents and to identify practice and programs related to grief education and suicide intervention and prevention. Ninety-four percent of an Australian sample of 145 schools had such plans in place, compared with only 15% of an English sample of 200 schools. Differing policy contexts for grief, and the lack of teacher training and minimal education about grief in England, were discussed as possible explanations for the variation. It is concluded that a more proactive approach will only be achieved when there is system-level policy and training support, as well as school and individual teacher recognition of their potential contribution to young people's well being.