Global Grief Network logoGGN Complex and Prolonged Grief
Global Grief Network Education Center
Module 6 of 6

Practitioner Takeaways

About 1 hour

If you or someone you know may be in danger right nowCall 988Text 988Immediate danger: call 911

988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7 by call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans: dial 988 then press 1. Outside the US, use your local emergency number or crisis line. This program is education, not crisis care. If you are struggling as you read, please pause and reach out now.

Lessons in this module
  1. Notice, Understand, Support, Refer
  2. Staying within scope
  3. Building referral pathways

Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Lesson

Notice, Understand, Support, Refer

Notice how grief is affecting someone's daily life over time. Understand it with curiosity rather than labels. Support with steady presence and practical help. Refer to specialized clinical support when grief stays heavy and disabling, and to 988 or 911 in a crisis.

Staying within scope

Educators, peer supporters, and faith leaders are not diagnosing or treating. Be clear about what you offer and what you do not. Saying this is beyond what I can offer, and I want to help you find someone who can is a professional and caring response.

Building referral pathways

Before you need them, gather a list of local licensed mental health professionals who focus on grief, support groups, crisis lines, and the GGN Practitioner Directory. Know how to make a warm handoff, which means helping the person make contact rather than only handing over a number.

1Notice2Understand3Support4Refer
GGN reminder: Knowing your limits and having referrals ready is part of good practice.
GGN practiceBuild your referral sheet (about 15 minutes)

Create a one page sheet with crisis numbers (988 and 911), at least three local grief support options, and the GGN Practitioner Directory. Add a short script for a warm handoff. If this brings up pain, pause and reach out to someone you trust, or call or text 988.

Fictional storyFictional Story 6.1: The peer group leader

Nadia leads a peer grief group. One member, Will, has attended for a year and seems more withdrawn each month. He recently mentioned he has stopped eating regular meals. Nadia asked to speak with him after the group.

Questions to consider:

  1. What could Nadia say?
  2. How can she stay within her role?

Discussion: Nadia can describe what she has noticed, ask how Will is really doing, and ask directly about suicide if she has any concern. She can explain that a licensed mental health professional who specializes in grief may be able to offer more than the group can, help him make contact, and keep welcoming him to the group.

Reflection Prompts

  1. Where does your role begin and end?
  2. Which referral resources do you need to gather?
  3. How will you follow up after a referral?

Module 6 Quiz

Choose one answer per question, then check your answers. You need 4 of 5 correct to pass, and every critical item must be correct. You can retake it any time.