Death education and grief/suicide intervention in the public schools

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
We surveyed a stratified random sample of 423 public schools, from prekindergarten through 12th grade, with respect to three death-related programs. Using categorical and open-ended questions, we asked the respondents about the structure and characteristics of the programs, types of curriculum materials, and training of personnel. The schools that responded were distributed similarly to the national population by region. The national estimate for schools offering a course or unit on general death education was 11%, 17% offered a grief education/support program, and 25% had suicide prevention/intervention programs. Senior high schools in the midwest had the highest proportions of death-related programs. Of the few death education programs offered, most are taught as part of a health education course and are two weeks or less in duration. Most of the grief and suicide programs are crisis oriented, and typically involve counselors or a team of school staff members. Opportunities for in-service education are limited. The results of this national survey are consistent with previous state surveys, which found little death education in public schools. In addition, only a small proportion of schools provide programs in grief or suicide intervention.

This publication has 26 references indexed in Scilit: