I just discovered that we are in the midst of National College Student Grief Awareness Week (April 13-20), and being part of an organization that provides grief education and support to the wider community as well as our hospice families, I hope you will direct your readers, especially Ohio University and Hocking College students, to studentsofamf.org, the Web site for National Students of Ailing Mothers and Fathers Support Network, the sponsor of the event. Its mission is to let grieving students know that they are not alone and that they can find support and understanding from peers through its online programming and growing number of campus chapters across the country.
Grief can be especially difficult for college students, who are often far from home and dealing with academic and social pressures, as well as an aching heart. The Web site states that nearly 50 percent of college students have grieved the death of a family member or friend in the last two years. It can be terribly lonely in what are supposed to be the best years of a young person's life. Students should be aware that counselors are available through student health services.
There are many resources listed at studentsofamf.org including information on starting a local chapter. I would be happy to assist any student at OU or Hocking College who may be interested in exploring that possibility. I also serve as a resource for any student or community member grieving the loss of a loved one. Please contact me at the hospice office here in Athens.
Stephen Simko is a bereavement educator for Appalachian Community Hospice and a resident of Athens.
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Letter to the Editor
