How to talk to your children about a classmate’s death
How do you talk to your kids after a classmate of theirs has died?
Over the weekend, we had three student deaths in the viewing area.
Recently, Caden Tellier, a football player at Morgan Academy died from a brain injury, Au’Terrious Walter, a student at Selma High School, died from a gunshot wound, and an unidentified 5th grade student in Tallapoosa County passed away.
Action 8 News talked to Rev. Dewayne Rembert with the Flatline Church at Chisholm.
Rembert stresses to give classmates a chance to vocalize their feelings and to let them know that it is okay to express themselves about their loss.
He also says to initiate conversation, but listen and give students positive hope about the future.
“We don’t want our students to fall in place of hopelessness,” said Rev. Rembert. “There has to be response, action, love, care immediately, like you can’t wait and it has to be on a continuous basis. You can’t start it and just leave it alone. Be there.”
There are several places in our area that can offer counseling, if needed.
- Pathways Professional Counseling 866-991-6864
- Samaritan’s Counseling Center 334-262-7787
- Hope City Counseling 334-721-3592
- Deep Roots Counseling & Coaching 334-324-6588
- Sanctuary Counseling & Wellness 334-603-2025
- Phillips Counseling Practice 706-325-3392
- Transformation Counseling 334-730-3172
- Composite Counseling 334-356-9894
- Venture Life Coaching 850-377-9586
