Grief Counseling
What is Grief Counseling?
University Counseling Services provides grief counseling, in individual and group settings, to students who have experienced a loss. The loss may come in many forms and can include, but is not limited to, the death of a family member, partner, or friend. Grief and its outward expression, mourning, are unique and reflect both the individual and the relationship they had with the one they have lost. To put it another way, no two students will mourn in the same way. This makes the journey through grief a very personal experience that can be challenging to understand and navigate alone. Grief counseling can assist students in processing their unique feelings and thoughts in a safe and supportive environment.
As a result of special funding from the Remember The Ten Run, students coping with a loss are eligible for grief counseling at no cost to them. Simply contact our office and request an intake for grief counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the symptoms of grief?
- How long does it take to get over the death of a loved one?
- How can I help someone who is grieving?
- What do I do when people’s “help” isn’t very helpful?
Grief and Loss Library
We provide free books and workbooks on various types of grief as a resource to OSU students whether or not they are participating in counseling. Some of the titles, include:
- Understanding Your Grief
- Understanding Your Suicide Grief
- Healing Your Traumatized Heart
- Healing the Adult Child’s Grieving Heart
- Healing the Adult Siblings Grieving Heart
- The Mourner’s Book of Hope
- And others
If you would one of these free resources please stop by our office.
Grief Outreach Events
Ending the Silence Around Grief & Loss
Join us for a presentation, trainings, or event focused on grief & loss, suicide awareness & prevention, and supporting those who struggle.
Mental Health Presentations
As a service to students, faculty, and staff our clinical intern for Grief & Loss offers presentations over subjects related to grief & loss and suicide awareness & prevention. To request a presentation please complete the online form below and we will contact you to schedule your presentation and discuss specific details related to your request.
Current Presentations:
- It's Real: College Students and Mental Health
This presentation, created by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will include a video viewing and short discussion. The 17-minute video “conveys that depression and other mental health conditions are real illnesses that can be managed through specific treatments and interventions. It encourages students to be mindful of the state of their mental health, to acknowledge and recognize when they are struggling, and to take steps to seek help.”
- Demystifying Mental Health
What is “mental health” anyways? For many of us, this topic feels vague and nebulous. This presentation takes you through what mental health care looks like on a practical level and gives an in-depth view of counseling from a counselor-in-training.
- Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention
This presentation, created by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, and how to keep themselves and others safe.
- Grief Across Cultures
This presentation will give an overview of how culture influences the way we grieve. A focus will be placed on misconceptions surrounding grief and the importance of grief rituals across cultures. We discuss ways to be culturally aware and supportive to the bereaved. Finally, an overview of campus resources will be provided.
- Grief & Loss
Grief is something that we all have or will experience. Despite this, it’s hard for our society to talk about. This presentation is focused on what grief is, what bereavement looks like, and what supports are needed/available for those who have experienced the death of a loved one.
- Grief During The Holidays
This presentation will give an overview of education on grief and the importance of support during holidays for the bereaved alongside ideas for giving that support.
- Stress Management
Feeling stressed about stress? This presentation is focused on what stress is, how to recognize it, and ways to reduce stress. Activities allow for collaboration with others in the room to help find the best solutions for everyone present.
Request a Presentation:
Grief & Loss Internship
The Student Counseling Center has one Graduate Teaching Assistantship available during the academic year (20 hours per week, June to May). General responsibilities include: developing and organizing campus events related to death, loss and bereavement; outreach programming on grief-related topics, marketing UCS grief events and counseling services, as well as providing clinical training workshops for the student leadership and members of Active Minds OSU chapter. This position may include providing grief counseling for students (in individual and group therapy formats), but may not serve as an internship or practicum site for counseling students as there is no guarantee counseling will be a component of this position. Individual supervision and in-service training will be provided by the professional staff. Applicants must be available on Friday mornings from 8:30-10:30am for staff meetings and group supervision. This position is funded through a generous donation to University Counseling Services from the Remember the Ten Run. Those who are interested in applying for the position may submit a cover letter and resume/CV to our training coordinator, Emily Billings.