Question Details	Asked By	Asked On
HOw would you go about helping a	Ruckus	06/10/03
16 year old deal with the death of someone very close to them? If it doesn't get resolved what kind of problems can it cause in thier future? Is it possible for this age child "teen" to deal with it alone?
Answered By		Answered On
bal317		06/10/03
Hello: In reality we all deal with death in our own way by ourselves. What helps is the education and structure concerning death. Many situations surround death. Even as an adult, many of us don't understand why someone would commit suicide, we all wished we would have been there too stop it, or help in some great way. So this should not surprise someone when someone at any age would be willing too accept this type of death. Natural death, due too age, is more of a common death, but still as we are taught through out our years too love, respect and keep those around us close, death is still the stranger that takes that human being away, one can associate tho, the age, possible illness, pain and the body wearing out as cause, and even tho we are sadden, we know that the individual has lead a wonderful or peaceful or full life span and that we ourselves would not want too suffer, or live on while so many of our loved ones have gone on. So, letting go, but not forgetting seems too be easier. Illness, stikes at any age. Seems the younger the age at death the harder it is too grasp, that this person cannot survive. However, the body again can only take so much, then our maker chooses too take us on home, and provide peace, rest, pain free, and loving heavens, where we are too walk the streets of gold and suffer no more, eventually we are too be reaquainted with all of our family and friends. At 16 a wonderful age, where your mind is certainly not on death, and you feel your greatest, death is a shock not only too your mentality, but too your very exsistance. Having close family and friends around you is always best, reassurance of loving the 16 year old, and having that person tell you how they are feeling, naturally we don't know what they feel like, so saying that seems too offend the 16 year old, but listening and hearing what they are going through seems too work better. Also, asking the Minister too search several passages that can be associated with what the 16 year old would understand, and not pushing the 16 year old into constantly talk about the situation, but again listening and being a good sounding board helps. If you see the 16 yr. old slipping into depression, confussion, or any unusual activity for too long, then I would suggest professional counseling with a qualifyed specialist. Yes, we all have stages of grief, but we often have too rely on others too see when we are not functioning up too our own speed and too get help for us, when we can't for ourselves. 16 yr. olds are strong, they are not stupid, they have their eyes opened and see many situations dealing with life, but many choose not too dwell on unpleasant areas, however, as responsible adults we have too make it a plan too explain the desteny of life, problems that can occur, grief, loss, respect, responsibilty of our actions, self preservation, trust, family issues and how too be able too come too the family or adult when in trouble no matter what the issue is, because they are loved and will be accepted. Know which ever religion that the family has chosen, that their is a superior being that has us in his/her hands, only by believing in this spirit we can be assured of after-life. Hopefully, this helps. If there is anything further that I may assist you with, please let me know. Respectfully, bal317

Additional Options and ratings are only visible when you login!