College Student Grief Awareness Day isn’t so much a holiday as it is a day that raises awareness about the struggles college students face throughout the year. This day supports the mental health of students who are grieving the death of a loved one or the diagnosis of a terminal illness for a loved one.

This holiday is observed on the third Thursday in April and is currently recognized on over 200 college campuses across the United States. It is a day for all of us to support grieving college students and provide them with the emotional and mental support they need during this difficult time.

The History of College Student Grief Awareness Day

The holiday began with the Actively Moving Forward Group (A.M.F) in 2004. This student group organized support groups for college students to help them cope with depression and grief. Over the years, this organization has assisted thousands of students across the U.S. In 2015, they established College Grief Awareness Day.

Some Quick Facts About College Students & Grief

To highlight just how many college students are grieving at any given time and how it affects them, we conducted some research on the subject to present some facts that people might find helpful. The following bulleted points are what we learned and believe are relevant to this conversation.

• Studies have shown that up to a third of undergraduate students may be dealing with grief at any given time.
• Grief can not only mean grieving the loss of a loved one but can also include grieving for someone who has received a terminal medical diagnosis or the end of a relationship.
• Students may also grieve due to a traumatic event.
• Research indicates that a grieving student’s GPA will significantly drop during the year they experience the loss.
• For approximately 15% of grieving students, the prolonged process of grief can lead to long-term psychological and physical health issues.

Observing College Student Grief Awareness Day

On this day, people can show support to college students, either directly or by supporting organizations that aid these students. People can also spread the word about this day online by using the hashtag #CollegeStudentGriefAwarenessDay on social media. Additionally, special events organized by the AMF and other organizations take place on this day and can be found on many campuses across the U.S.