Supporting bereaved students: Qualitative insights from Danish college student counselors.

Abstract

This article investigates bereavement support among Danish college students, focusing on the role of student counselors across seven colleges. Twenty-one counselors participated in semi-structured interviews, revealing challenges in identifying and supporting bereaved students while juggling academic priorities. They acknowledge their focus on academics, while often feeling they lack adequate training for broader emotional support. Key themes include counselor roles, identifying bereaved students, and balancing academic and emotional needs. Recommendations highlight the necessity of tailored counselor roles, specialized training in bereavement and communication, and establishing clear support structures. These findings underline a critical gap in college bereavement support and advocate for practical improvements. Enhancing counselor education and support structures could better address the needs of bereaved students, reflecting broader challenges faced by counselors and the importance of continuous education in effectively supporting them.