Building Compassionate Schools: A Pilot Project to Strengthen Grief Literacy with Youth in Nova Scotia

Title: Building Compassionate Schools: A Pilot Project to Strengthen Grief Literacy with Youth in Nova Scotia

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Description: This study is a two-year community-engaged research project led by Dr. Mary Ellen Macdonald at Dalhousie University in partnership with SchoolsPlus Nova Scotia. Grounded in the principles of Compassionate Communities and grief literacy, the project seeks to strengthen schools’ capacity to support young people experiencing grief by positioning youth as active contributors to conversations about grief, loss, and wellbeing.

Focusing on the West Hants region of Nova Scotia, the project will examine existing grief education policies, practices, and supports through an environmental scan, community consultations with educators and community partners, and youth feedback sessions. The research aims to identify opportunities for embedding grief literacy within school communities, enhance understanding of how schools can better support grieving students, and develop practical recommendations for creating more compassionate, grief-informed educational environments.

Working collaboratively with educators, community organizations, youth, and SchoolsPlus facilitators, the project will generate a report, youth-led knowledge translation materials, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications. Findings will inform future grief literacy initiatives across Nova Scotia and contribute to broader efforts to build compassionate school communities that recognize and respond to the diverse experiences of grief among children and youth.

Funding: The project is supported through a VOICE Innovation Regular Grant with $16,000 in funding.