As some of you may have learned, a teen took their life at Lake Mary High School on March 13, 2019. The school was on shut-down temporarily and students are now able to leave (as necessary). This was an isolated incident and no threat to nearby schools. As far as we know, the student is not anyone we have had contact with at LifePoint.

While we all have questions and sometimes desire to know the details, the bottom line is that as a community (and especially the body of Christ) we should remain in prayer for the families/friends affected. Some of your own teens may have been friends with the individual.

Here are some things we can remember:

  1. BE MINDFUL – Be aware our responses/posts online — as to give room for a grieving family.
  2. ALWAYS LISTEN – This tends to create questions your teen might be wrestling with. Allow time to be scared and continue the discussion the rest of your life.
  3. SEEK HELP – if you or your child is facing depression, guilt, loneliness, bullying, abuse or neglect — help is around the corner.

The body of Christ at LifePoint Christian Church is here to listen. We have references for licensed marriage & family therapists as well as trauma & depression specialists. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.

Here are some tips if your faced with helping someone (excerpt from article below):

  • Be present with people
  • Healing takes time
  • Grieving and healing are both social experiences
  • Don’t offer cliches or comparison
  • Allow people to tell their own stories

Praying,
-M@tt

ARTICLES of interest: