Any of these signs may be present initially in grief, so please pay attention if these persist over time. If you are concerned about your child, please call a representative from the Student Support Team to talk if s/he is also seeing the same signs. Try not to over state your case. Most parents and school staff welcome the honest observations and concerns. It is helpful to have a list of local resources should parents wish to seek professional help.

Physical signs

• Change in eating (less or more)
• Changes in sleep (less or more)
• Significant loss of energy
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Stomach aches
• Emotional signs

Persistent anxiety

• Hopes of reunion with deceased
• Desire to die
• Clinging to others
• Absence of all grief
• Strong resistance to forming new attachments
• Expression of only negative or only positive about the deceased

Behavioral signs

• Aggression, displays of power
• Withdrawn regression
• Overachieving syndrome
• Inability to focus or concentrate
• Self-destructive
• Excessive daydreaming
• Compulsive care-giving
• Accident-prone
• Stealing or other illegal activities
• Use or abuse of drugs or alcohol or both
• Unable to speak of the deceased

Cognitive signs

• Inability to concentrate
• Confused or distorted thinking

Any signs of long-term or clinical depression are red flags, as are your own "gut feelings" about whether a child is really struggling with more than just the profound sadness that is "normal" grief.