Letter: Community resources available to combat teen suicides
Adolescent suicide is one of the most complicated forms of bereavement, with ripples throughout a community. It generates a higher risk for subsequent suicides among family members and peers.
Those left behind can find healing through SOS, Survivors of Suicide, a weekly recovery group. It is the only group of its kind in the region and is provided by licensed mental health counselors from Psychological Care and Counseling at The Chaplaincy. We help loved ones find a way to create a future while valuing the importance of the person who died.
The Chaplaincy counseling service also has experts in child and adolescent mental health, family counseling and bilingual services. We have reached out to the Prosser School District to provide preventive mental health services, and we provided pro bono services for one of the post-suicide debriefings. We are hoping Prosser takes advantage of the difference that therapists can make to prevent such tragedies.
Not all suicides can be prevented, but most can when the community’s resources are brought to bear. One of the most effective approaches to preventive care is for counselors to develop a trusting relationship with students on their campus.
Tom Adams, Kennewick
This story was originally published November 26, 2015 at 10:50 PM with the headline "Letter: Community resources available to combat teen suicides."