Resources for Students Coping with Personal or Family Illness/Loss

The Loyola community strives to provide support and connection for students who are dealing with the illness or loss of a loved one.  Our support network wants to help students feel connected rather than invisible, and to experience some normalcy in dealing with their difficult situation.  We aim to be intentionally supportive without hovering.

If your child is dealing with the illness of a loved one or has experienced a recent loss, please connect them with either Campus Ministry (410-617-2768, Cohn Hall, under the chapel), the Academic Advising and Support Center (410-617-5050, Maryland Hall 138), or the Counseling Center (410-617-CARE(2273), Humanities 150).  

These offices offer entry points to the Loyola support network, and each office will work to connect the student with other needed resources. 

When you call one of these offices, it would be helpful to have as many details about the situation as possible so the student does not have to cover the same ground repeatedly.

1. Campus Ministry will reach out to students to offer both spiritual and personal support.  A Campus Ministry staff member will try to meet with the student personally.  Every student will be invited to solicit prayers and alert the Loyola community about a death in their immediate family through a “We Remember” e-mail.  A Campus Ministry staff member will try to attend funeral services of student’s immediate family, if possible. 
2. Academic Advising and Support Center will notify faculty and reach out to the student as appropriate. An Academic Services staff member will help students talk to their professors about making up missed work and help put academic supports in place as needed. 
3. The Counseling Center will offer personal support and help students explore all the ways their situation might be impacting them. When a counselor meets with the student, they will assess any other needs that the student may have and will offer individual or group support (the Facing Loss group has proven to be very helpful to students) and explain how being connected to others can be an important part of functioning during difficult times.

Other Offices That Might be Contacted

Generally, contacts with the following offices will be funneled through the Academic Advising and Support Center, Campus Ministry, or the Counseling Center.

4. Residence Life & Housing staff can watch for warning signs of unhealthy coping strategies.  If it is requested that the information stay private, we can limit those who know about the situation to include the student's RA, GRC, AD, and Director of Residence Life & Housing. If possible, we would have the student's RA, under supervision, check in periodically with the student. 
5. Dean of Students Office, including Associate Dean and Student Support Services will be contacted if a student needs some type of logistical support that is beyond what other offices can provide, which may include internal advocacy with other departments on campus. This is an option during circumstances when the credibility/standing of the Dean’s Office would be helpful. 
6. Student Activities will be contacted when the student involved is a student leader with Student Government, Options, etc. or if the student is a commuter, as they supervise the Commuter Student Association.  They will offer support and connection.  The class president will send flowers and a card to any classmates who have lost a family member. 
7. Leadership and New Student Programs will offer support to students they are connected to (e.g., Evergreens and other Student Leaders). If the student involved is a first-year student, they will notify that student’s Evergreen to follow up as well.
8. ALANA Services should be contacted if an ALANA student experiences a death or illness in their immediate family.  ALANA Services staff may contact the student to make them aware of campus resources such as the Counseling Center, Campus Ministry, etc. If a relationship has been established with the student or family members, condolences will be shared.