#15 Grief and Growth: Navigating Bereavement in Higher Education | Unfiltered by EmpowerED

How personal loss shapes student life, identity, and support systems on campus.

In this raw and powerful episode of Unfiltered by EmpowerED, we’re joined by an extraordinary guest who shares her personal journey of navigating grief as a student—and how those early experiences of loss, silence, and resilience sparked the creation of The Student Grief Network. We discuss what it means to grieve at university, the unique challenges faced by students, the gaps in institutional support, and how grief can become a quiet but powerful catalyst for growth, empathy, and change.

Whether you’re a student, educator, or simply someone who’s experienced loss, this is an episode that will stay with you.

 

Podcast Chapters:

01:53 – Introduction & Anna’s Journey into Grief Work

02:29 – Losing Her Brother and the Hidden Impact of Childhood Grief

08:25 – Founding the Student Grief Network at University

10:50 – Coping with the Loss of Her Father and Finding Purpose

17:00 – Why Grief Is Still Invisible in Higher Education

31:08 – Creating a Framework for Compassionate Universities

43:00 – Supporting Staff Well-Being & Building a Culture of Care

53:50 – Lessons, Hope & Anna’s Final Message

 

Resources Mentioned: 

SGN main website

My creative page: Anna May

 

Anna's Contact Details:

Linkedin

Email: [e-mail]

 

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