Consortium to offer Carroll area youth suicide support group

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
A Suicide Support Group will be offered in the Carroll County area for any high school students who may have been affected by the death of a friend, family member or classmate who died by suicide. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City and St. Anthony Regional Hospital are collaborating to offer the group starting later this month.
 
“We’ve done some adult suicide (groups),” explained Tina Zanders, Catholic Charities therapist. “We recognize that obviously when there’s adults that have needed to attend the group, there’s probably minors that have been impacted.”
 
Zanders will facilitate the support group with Whitney Cue of Catholic Charities, and Alex Gilland, St. Anthony social worker.
 
Catholic Charities and St. Anthony’s participation in the Carroll County Youth Behavioral Health Consortium led to grant funding to offer the high school support group at no cost to participants. The consortium received a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for assisting Carroll County youth.
 
Catholic Charities is reaching out to area schools and guidance counselors to advise that the group is forming if they have students who may need assistance. The therapist pointed out that many teens either have been impacted by a loss through suicide or will be and that knowing they are not alone can be helpful.
 
“The schools have already identified some kids in this age group and have approached them,” Zanders said of potential participants.

 ZandersAt times, it’s difficult to convince teens or adults that they can benefit from therapy or support groups and “get them in the door.” To encourage teens to consider participating, the therapist wants to assure the youth a support group is a safe and understanding space for them. “It’s really breaking the stigma that it’s okay to seek help. Definitely in the group confidentiality is stressed,” she said.
 
Zanders, Cue and Gilland plan to be at all four sessions of this first high school group offering. Participants can expect to learn the parameters and expectations the first night the sessions are held.
 
“We will go over ground rules, such as be respectful and you share if you want to but you don’t have to. The confidentiality is highly stressed,” she explained. “We’re trying to create a welcoming atmosphere where people feel safe. The degree of participation is up to the individual.”
 
As losing a friend or family member to suicide, Zanders describes the topic as “emotionally charged,” and the team is ready to assist teens with their mental health needs.
 
“If someone is having challenges, we can take them out individually and do a little one-on-one time with them,” she said.
 
Although some may be reluctant to seek help, Zanders stressed that it’s best to deal with the emotions before many years have passed.
 
“In my own caseload, I have adults that still struggle with suicide of a loved one 20-30 years ago that didn’t get dealt with very much at the time. It’s still a trauma for them. It’s impactful, so hopefully we reach them at a closer time of impact. You’re always going to deal with that part of the grief and the trauma. It won’t be as difficult as an adult if you’ve dealt with it on a more recent timeframe,” the therapist explained. “Sadly, it doesn’t matter your age, most people will experience the loss of someone they know or (know) peripherally. Nobody gets through life without being touched by this.”
 
The high school Suicide Support Group will meet for four consecutive Tuesdays from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25.at the Carroll St. Lawrence Church Family Room. Refreshments will be provided. To register or ask questions, call (712) 792-9597.
 
Depending upon interest, future groups for high school survivors of those who died by suicide may be offered.
 
The Carroll County Youth Behavioral Health Consortium partners include the Carroll Community School District, Carroll County Public Health Department, Carroll Police Department, Catholic Charities, Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District, Compass Healthcare Collaborative, Kuemper Catholic School System, NAMI/United Methodist Church, New Opportunities, Plains Area Mental Health Center, St. Anthony Regional Hospital and Seasons Center for Behavioral Health.
 
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