Skip to Content

University of Colorado Boulder
Search

Search

Other ways to search:

  • Events Calendar
  • Campus Map
Health & Wellness Services
Health & Wellness Services

Main menu

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Programs
  • Education & Prevention
  • Summer Services
  • COVID-19 Updates

Secondary Menu

  • Employee Wellness
  • Health & Wellness Requirements

Mobile menu

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Programs
  • Education & Prevention
  • Summer Services
  • COVID-19 Updates
  • Employee Wellness
  • Health & Wellness Requirements
  • Graduate Student Dental Insurance

Breadcrumb

Home Services Dealing with Grief Responding to Grief

Responding to Grief

Two people sitting on couch with heads in hands

Things you can say

  • I am sorry for your loss. 
  • Is there any specific way I can help you right now? 
  • I cannot even imagine how much you are hurting. 
  • Can I call you and check in with you every so often? (Do not expect them to remember to call you.) 
  • Would you like to talk about it? I want to hear what you have to say. 
  • It is OK with me if you cry. 
Close up of two sets of hands holding each other

Things to know

  • Just reaching out a hand, being there in silence, and letting them have their feelings can be helpful.
  • Sometimes just sitting with someone without having to say anything is the greatest gift you can give a grieving person.
  • Do not stop trying to make contact over the months, unless they CLEARLY ask you to, they will appreciate your care even if they cannot take you up on it yet.
  • Sometimes it takes weeks or months before a grieving person is able to reach out for help.

Resources

For those who are grieving, there are a variety of resources available on campus.

For grief counseling, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is available to students and graduate students and Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is available to faculty and staff.

If the loss involves navigating law enforcement and or the legal system contact the Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) for advocacy support.

Schedule an Appointment
​

Student Health Portal

Advocacy and Support

Footer menu

  • Graduate Student Dental Insurance

Health & Wellness Services
Hours and Contact
Campus Support Resources

Give Now

CU Boulder acknowledges that it is located on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute and many other Native American nations. Their forced removal from these territories has caused devastating and lasting impacts. Full CU Boulder land acknowledgment

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder
© Regents of the University of Colorado
Privacy • Legal & Trademarks • Campus Map

Return to the top of the page