Recent Tragedies Spur Stoughton Youth Commission to Offer Special Coping Group

With the recent losses of two young residents, the Stoughton Youth Commission is holding a pair of group sessions intended for parents to "share ideas and to learn skills that will help them talk to their children about grief and to gain support from others," a flyer from the Stoughton Youth Commission explains.

"Grief is a natural emotional experience in response to loss. In [light] of the recent tragedies that Stoughton has faced, parents and families may need some extra support addressing grief," the flyer continues.

The two sessions will both be held on Tuesday Oct. 9 at the Youth Commission/Senior Center building at 110 Rockland St. The morning session will take place from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. and the afternoon session will take place between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Shayla Lutz, a three-year-old Stoughton girl, died the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 14 shortly after she was struck by a box truck in front of the Hansen Elementary School on Central St. in Stoughton.

Just two weeks later, David Wade, a 17-year-old senior at Stoughton High, died after being accidentally shot on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Teresa Tapper, LMHC, a Senior Clinician at the Stoughton Youth Commission added, "SYC wishes to be a resource for the parents of our community to offer support during this difficult time. Grief affects us all in so many different ways. As parents, we want to make certain that our youth and children are doing ok. And they need to know that a wide variety of feelings they may (or may not be) experiencing are normal."

Tapper continued, "While the Youth Commission is open and available for counseling services (free to Stoughon youth and families) every weekday on a regular basis, we decided to set aside specific time for parents who don't necessarily feel they need counseling services, but simply need reassurance and/or guidance on how to support their children during this time when our community is feeling the aftershock of the recent  tragic events."

If you are unable to attend or would like to receive more information, contact The Stoughton Youth Commission at 781-341-2252. The SYC offers family and individual counseling services. Visit the SYC website at www.stoughtonyouthcommission.org for more information.