After a Student Death: Caring for Yourself

A guide for 麻豆免费版下载Boulder students听

A student death, especially when a student dies by suicide, can have a deep impact on a campus community. You may feel shocked, sad, confused or unsure how to move forward. There is no 鈥渞ight鈥 way to react.听

This guide offers simple ways to take care of yourself and find support. You are not expected to handle this alone and help is available.听

How You Might Be Feeling

Even if you didn鈥檛 know the student personally, it鈥檚 common to feel impacted by the loss.听

You might notice:听

  • Shock, numbness or disbelief听
  • Sadness, grief or guilt听
  • Anxiety or feeling on edge听
  • Trouble focusing in class听
  • Changes in sleep or appetite听
  • Feeling overwhelmed or disconnected听

These reactions can come and go, especially if something reminds you of what happened (like conversations, social media or locations on campus). Some days may feel a little easier, while other moments may bring those feelings back unexpectedly. Everyone responds differently, and it can take time to process a loss like this.听

Communicating with your professors may also help if you need support or flexibility in your classes during this time. Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) can provide a letter to help start that conversation if needed.听听

This disruption may be short term, but if it continues to affect you, reaching out for additional support can help. Call us at 303-492-2277 to get started.听

Taking Care of Yourself

When you鈥檙e dealing with grief, shock or stress, even everyday tasks can feel harder than usual. Taking care of yourself may not come naturally right away, and that鈥檚 okay. Here are a few small ways to support yourself as you move through the days ahead. Start with what feels manageable and remember that you don鈥檛 have to do everything at once鈥攋ust what feels possible today.

Stick To Simple Routines
  • Eat, sleep and drink water regularly听
  • Go to class or work if you can听
  • Keep a basic daily structure听

If things feel like too much, it鈥檚 okay to pause or scale back.听

Give Yourself Permission to Feel

You might feel a mix of emotions, even at the same time. All of it is valid. Try not to pressure yourself to 鈥渕ove on鈥 quickly.听

Limit Overwhelming Input
  • Take breaks from social media or news听
  • Step away from conversations that feel too intense听
  • Silence notifications if you need space听
Stay Connected

It鈥檚 common to want to withdraw, but connection helps.听

  • Talk to someone you trust听
  • Spend time with friends in low-pressure ways听
  • Ask for help with everyday things if needed听

Use Small Coping Strategies听

  • Go for a walk or get outside听
  • Listen to music or watch something comforting听
  • Write or journal for a few minutes听
  • Move your body in a gentle way听

Try to avoid relying heavily on substances like alcohol or drugs to cope, as they can make healing harder over time.听

When to Seek Extra Support

You should seek additional support if:听

  • Your feelings aren鈥檛 improving or feel overwhelming听
  • You鈥檙e struggling to function in daily life or classes听
  • You鈥檙e having panic attacks, intrusive thoughts or nightmares听
  • You feel unsafe or worried about yourself or someone else听
Mental Health Support

CAPS is here to support students who may be experiencing impacts from recent events and other mental health concerns. To access same-day appointments and crisis services, call 303-492-2277 or drop-in during regular business hours. CAPS has crisis phone support available 24/7.听

CAPS also offers Let鈥檚 Talk, which allows you to connect with a counselor for free and confidential drop-in services virtually or in person. You can also sign up for free workshops to address issues related to grief, anxiety, self-care, relationships and more.听

Academic Support

Student Outreach, Advocacy & Support (SOAS) works with students facing challenging situations by connecting them to helpful resources and creating a personalized plan to support their well-being and success. There are three ways to refer a student to SOAS:听听

  • Fill out the 听听
  • Call 303-492-7348听听
  • Email the department at soas@colorado.edu听听听
Additional 24/7 Resources
  • : Call or text 988 for 24/7 support听
  • (LGBTQ+ support): 866-488-7386 or text START to 678678听
  • If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.听

This is a difficult time for many people in our community. Take things one day at a time, be gentle with yourself and remember that support is here for you.听