HELPING TEENS COPE
You go from a ‘normal’ life to having everything turned upside down. Sometimes even your friends can’t understand what you are going through after the death of a parent, uncle, aunt, sibling, friend or loved one, because they haven’t been where you are. You can feel isolated. You see others you love in pain and aren’t quite sure what to do or how to help. You sometimes have to move from where you live, leaving behind a life, friends and all that was “normal.” Sometimes you feel like you are going “crazy”. Maybe you are not able to concentrate or feel guilty for not writing as much or not telling them you loved them one more time. You are hurting but you are also proud of your loved one and their service and not sure what to do when people make comments about the war or the military.
TAPS provides a safe, comfortable place for you to find support and a network to connect with other teens who have also suffered the death of a loved one in military service. Our national and regional seminars provide the opportunity to talk with other teens that have asked the same questions and felt the same way and encouraged in whatever place you are in your grief. You can express yourself without judgment, be accepted for who you are, discover you are not alone while never being “forced” to discuss or share anything you don’t want to. You will be in a safe place with others who truly understand your loss, and when they say they “know how you feel.”
Through our peer groups, resources and support services, TAPS stands ready to provide you with compassion and care. Our hearts go out to you and TAPS takes great care in supporting you and honoring your loved ones.
We invite you to visit our Grief Support Services page for information of our online support groups and how to request a peer mentor and our Resources page for additional information on support, counseling and publications.
You can find more information on our website under the following: