The Role of Policy in Creating a Supportive Social Context for the Management of Loss Experiences and Critical Incidents in School Communities

School communities globally are experiencing traumatic events that have the potential to affect the following: the mental health of those involved; the academic progress of students; the work life of teachers; and the public perception of schools as safe physical and psychosocial environments. This potentially widespread impact necessitates the adoption of a comprehensive management strategy. This article describes suggestions for management of these incidents based on the following: a social construction of grief; an ecological public health perspective on loss and grief; and research on educational change. Elements of a supportive school environment will be used to exemplify the proposed approach. The crucial element of the supportive environment was the development of a critical incident management plan. This “working policy” demonstrated coherence between practices and philosophy, indicated a proactive approach for loss and grief and critical incident management and a legally accountable organization.