Weight:
35%
Length:
1,500-2,000 word essay (plus 6-12
references not included in the word count).
You will not be
penalized for going over the word count.
You may also use headers and
sub-headers throughout your assignment.
Canadian English
is mandatory, and absolutely no generative AI submissions will be accepted.
Due: Submitted by April
14th at 5 pm.
This final assignment will
consist of an in-depth summary of your course learning. This paper will build
upon the reflections from your learning thus far. The purpose of this
assignment is to demonstrate your understanding of an issue related to loss and
grief. Your paper should build upon the course material and illuminate the
issues regarding an individual impacted by loss and grief. With the course
material as a foundation for this assignment, the subject matter—the
population/loss(es)—is your choice.
The textbook for this
class is Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. Springer Publishing Company (2021).
In references:
McCoyd, J. L., Koller, J. M., & Walter, C. A. (2021). Grief and loss across the lifespan: A biopsychosocial
perspective. Springer Publishing Company.
Please include articles and make references from these
websites and podcasts and the textbook listed above:
https://mygrief.ca/
https://kidsgrief.ca/
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/when-a-parent-dies-by-suicide
https://childmind.org/article/coping-with-a-parents-suicide/
Children & Grief: How To Help Kids Cope With Loss Early In Life with Jana DeCristofaro, LCSW
PART ONE: Client Identification
Reflect on the course content.
Choose a client population – individual, family, group or community.
Identify loss(es) impacting this population (divorce, suicide, dementia,
etc.).
I have chosen the client population of
Grief and Loss in Elementary
School-Age Children.
PART TWO: Case Study
The case study will be an 8-year-old child in grade four who
has lost their mother to suicide.
As the introduction to your
assignment, write a brief (~50 words) description to help stimulate the
development of your population and subject matter. Describe
the demographic information (age, gender, social location, etc.),
developmental age, and functioning. What intersectional identities impact
their loss or their mourning of it?
Identify the type of loss(es)
impacting the chosen population (divorce, suicide, dementia, etc.)
PART THREE: Exploration of Loss and Grief
Following your case study,
incorporate the following in your written assignment:
Identify some possible grief
reactions and expressions of grief for this client/population.
Description of the theories as
they seem to be applicable. Identify the types of losses: disenfranchised
loss? Ambiguous loss? Developmental aspects?
Identify whether grief is a
public or private experience for this case study. Why or why not?
What are some risk factors
(sources of harm/isolation) impacting grieving?
What are some protective factors
(sources of strength/support) impacting grieving?
What are some possible short and
long-term implications of this loss(es)? Continuing bonds?
Identify challenges and opportunities
to support this population in their grief. Explain.
Identify the role of
ceremonies/traditions/rituals commonly associated with the type of
loss. Do spirituality/culture or other aspects play a role in the
person’s grief process and/or meaning-making? Provide examples. What
other legacy work might be possible?
Identify: 1 book, 1 article, 1
web resource (social media, website, etc.) and 1 audio/video
recording/podcast that offers support or resources for this client
population.
Identify how you might support
this population in their grief. Provide examples.
PART FOUR: Self-Care.
Following your responses
to the above, incorporate the following in your written assignment:
Reflect on your self-care
practice prior to beginning this course. What did
self-care look like for you? Has anything changed? Why or why not? (no
judgement)
Consider how self-awareness is an
essential part of practice as we all face loss and grief (personally and
professionally).
What will a self-care practice
(or self-compassion) look like for you personally? – taking time off
as needed, practicing gratitude, making sleep a priority even though I
work night shifts, exercising and leaving the house at least once a day
to socialize or just go for a walk, seeing friends and family is
important to me, prioritize and actually schedule in my calendar time to relax
What will a self-care practice
(or self-compassion) look like for you professionally? – taking breaks
and debriefing with other staff, including supervisors
How might you explore
self-compassion for others facing loss and grief? – Meeting the client where they are at (stage of grief and needs)
Note: While your primary
sources of information for this assignment may be class notes, discussions, and
course materials, you are also encouraged to use novel sources
of information (academic journals, books, articles and any additional
resources).
Please remember to
integrate in your Written Assignment:
Evidence of knowledge and an
understanding of the literature of chosen topic as well as major concepts
and issues discussed
Evidence of an understanding of
the complexity of the issue. Evidence of critical thinking
Evidence of knowledge of the theoretical
and research literature relevant to the issues (remember to
integrate the readings/resources and credit sources appropriately)
Reference to readings/resources
in your written assignment and credit sources (include 6-12 references).
You will not be penalized for going over the word count.
Evidence of the ability to
integrate theory and research and articulate implications for policy and
practice. Written products should be concise and edited (spelling and
grammar)
Written products will be assessed
for organization, quality of content, clarity of ideas and writing,
including appropriate academic style and citations (e.g. APA style, 7th edition,
12-point font).
