A crisis can happen at any time and any place. This is usually a topic most of us don’t want to talk about because frankly, it can be really hard. However, counselors need to be prepared because they are often the ones on the front line when a crisis occurs.

The purpose of having a crisis team is to bring back a sense of control and help individuals with problem-solving and other coping skills that may have been compromised during a crisis.

According to the American Counseling Association, “the goal is to provide emotional support and concrete feedback/assistance for the individual.”

Why Have a Grief Tub (aka… Crisis Tub)?

One reason to have a Grief Tub is that we have no idea when we will need it! It’s extremely convenient when everything is already put together in an easy to find place.

During a crisis event, the last thing you want to be doing is scrounging up supplies!

Another reason is that it’s a great way for others to be able to find all the needed supplies when you are unavailable. Whoever gets to the tub first can begin setting up the crisis response area. It also allows all counselors to be on the same page and have the same plan so everything can run smoothly.

What’s Inside a Grief Tub?

Whatever you decide to put inside the Grief Tub needs to be appropriate for your students and your building level. Some of the elementary materials I have in my tub may not be suitable for high school students. On the other hand, there are a lot of things that are universal!

Some basic items to keep inside are…

• Crisis Manual
• Crisis Summary Sheet (See Below)
• Grief Handouts for Students, Teachers & Parents
• Grief Monsters Small-Group Lessons & Activities
• Boxes of Tissues
• Notebooks or Paper for Drawing & Writing
• Big Chart Paper for Posters or Graffiti Wall Activity
• Speaker (for calming music)
• Crayons & Other Art Supplies
• Pencils
• Small Sandtray

In elementary I make sure to add…

• Playdough
• Stuffed Animals
• Picture Books about Grief (see list below)

Extra things to pick up on the way…

• Snacks (granola bars, crackers, chocolate, etc)
• Bottles of Water

Where Do I keep the Grief Tub?

That depends on what’s easiest for you and the other people on your crisis team. Decide on a location that other people can get to if the need arises. Someone else may be the first one there and can get set up.

I am the only counselor in our elementary building. However, I do have two other counselors in the district that help out during a crisis event, along with our two principals. So, I leave our tub in the elementary office. That way anyone can grab it and get started.

Side Note: I keep a copy of our Crisis Summary Plan with me at all times! It’s on my phone (in Google Drive) and printed out in my car!

It’s also a great idea to keep a small crisis bag in the car. You never know when you might need it. For your family or someone else! It could help make a traumatic event a little bit easier to handle.

Some Books I use on Grief…

Freebie – Crisis Intervention Summary Sheet

If you are in need of a quick resource to keep in your car or in the Grief Tub, you can copy this link and fill it out for your district. This is NOT a Crisis Manual and does not address all the needs of a crisis event. However, this is a quick resource to have all your numbers in one place. Then, you can get out your manual and start working!

https://docs.google.com/document/u/2/d/12JaavTttJoPQvvluuPNDKqE4H058v7GwHlH0OzVtSUA/copy

Do you have a Grief or Crisis Tub? What do you put inside?

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