Bereavement, loss, traumatic incidents and suicide prevention

Bereavement and Loss

For a child, the world in many ways is still relatively unknown. Experiencing the harsh realities of the death of a loved one, and encountering grief for the first time, can make their world even more confusing. Add to this a family unit in its own state of grief and distress, this can become an unsettling time in a child’s life.

However, it is likely that most young people will have lost a loved one or a relative by the time they are 16 so it is helpful for schools and the adults around them to have some good information and reliable organisations that they can turn to for support at this highly distressing time.

Understanding the term 'trauma'

The word trauma is used to describe negative events that are emotionally painful and that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope. Trauma can happen as a result of experiencing a traumatic event such as a car accident or the death of a close relative or witnessing a violent crime. Traumatic events can also include direct physical or sexual assault, and various forms of abuse experienced during childhood. 

Bereavement by suspected suicide 

One of the most traumatic incidents that a child or young person might be faced with is the death of a friend or family member - and this experience is further complicated when the death is a result of a suspected suicide.

Support for Schools

If you are managing a critical incident involving a child, please contact the Inclusion Advice Line or

call on - 0300 123 2224

A critical incident may be defined as any sudden and unexpected incident or sequence of events which cause trauma within a school community, and which overwhelms the normal coping mechanisms of that school.

Critical Incidents affecting schools may include: 

• Property failure
• The death of a pupil(s) or member(s) of staff through sudden accident, murder, terminal illness or suicide.
• A serious accident involving pupils and school personnel on or off school premises.
• A violent attack or violent intrusion onto school premises, e.g. involving an armed intruder or a bomb alert.
• Fire, flood, building collapse or major vandalism in school.
• A hostage situation.
• A significant event in the community, e.g. transport accident, terrorism.

Whatever the scale of the incident, the effect on the individuals involved can be equally devastating.

This Critical Incidents page explains the support available to schools in these situations.

This guidance has been produced by the Educational Psychology Service and the Health & Safety Service on behalf of Somerset Council. Supported by Public Health (Somerset) and The Samaritans. 

The Guidance for education settings in Somerset: responding to a sudden unexpected death being treated as a suspected suicide will be available here from 1st November 2026

You will find a range of national and local services and signposting support within the guidance documents.