Skip to Content
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
UNC Links
Accessibility Events Libraries Maps Departments ConnectCarolina UNC Search
Counseling And Psychological Services
Home/Self Help/Grief and Loss

Self Help Topics

  • Academic Success
  • Alcohol and Other Drugs
  • Body Image and Eating Disorders
  • Meditation and Mindfulness
  • Nutrition Education
  • Physical Activity
  • Relationships
  • Sleep
  • Stress and Anxiety
  • Understanding and Healing from Racial Trauma

Grief and Loss

Grief is a normal human response to loss but it can be difficult to navigate, especially as a student. A study found that about one-third of the participating students reported at least one death among their families or friends and approximately 60% of interviewed seniors had lost at least one family member or friend since the end of their first year in college (Cox, Dean & Kowalski, 2015). Grief can impact your mood, your social life, your health, appetite, sleep and energy levels, and your ability to focus on academics. You may feel a range of emotions including sadness, anger, guilt, relief, or numbness. Grief may bring financial, practical, or social challenges as you find your way in a changing world. Many grieving students feel torn between conflicting impulses. You may feel pressure to get back to “normal” by studying or spending time with friends at the same time that you feel drawn to looking at photos of the person you lost, listening to music you shared, or being alone and crying. What’s more, every loss and every grieving person is unique.

If you have experienced a loss resulting in an absence from class, there are options. Undergraduates should refer to the absence policy. Graduate students should work with their departments. In addition, the Office of the Dean of Students can notify faculty on your behalf.

If you have experienced a loss, CAPS can help. CAPS offers individual therapy, referrals, and an on-campus Grief Group: Living with Loss for students. 

Photo Source: http://www.jmarkpowell.com/wp-content/uploads 

Support for Grieving College Students
What's Your Grief?
Open to Hope
Heal Grief
Hospice Foundation
UNC CAPS Grief Group
Sharing and printing options:
LSN Peer chat
Peer Chat
Contact Us

James A. Taylor Building

CB# 7470

320 Emergency Room Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27599

V: 919-966-3658
T: T-711

[email protected]

Training Programs
Hours

Open Monday - Friday

Initial visits (no appt needed):
9:00 am - 12:00 pm,
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Urgent needs:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Office hours:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

24/7 Phone Line
919-966-3658

Campus Partners

Campus Health

Student Wellness

Campus Rec

Dean of Students

Learning Center

Heels Care Network
Caps Services

Initial CAPS Assessments

Brief Therapy

Medication Management

Academic Interventions

Urgent Concerns

Outreach

Policies

Internship/Practicum Opportunities

UNC Student Affairs
Follow us:
Visit our FacebookVisit our InstagramVisit our TwitterVisit our YouTube channel
x
chat loading...
searchclosechevron-downbars X-logo linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram