Most people assume the teen years are difficult but also overall they are fun. When people think about teens they think about hanging out with friends, parties and really no responsibilities.

Parents often tell teenagers that high school will be the best time of their lives. We seem to assume that teenagers never have to deal with tragedy. However, this is not true.

Teenagers get hurt and die everyday. The die from disease, accidents, suicide and drug overdosages. When this occurs no one knows how to act because it violates our ideas about the teenage years.

Teenagers have a very difficult time when a friend dies. Again it violates their idea that they are immortal and they are faced with confronting feelings they have no idea how to cope with.

Unfortunately we have experienced this tragedy again in our community. Two teenagers in Pittsburg passed away. Their friends and school are now faced with trying to make sense of this tragedy and deal with their feelings.

In light of the recent deaths of 2 teens in Pittsburg here is an article about teens & grief http://www.dougy.org/grief-resources/how-to-help-a-grieving-teen/. Hopefully this might provide some suggestions that can help the families, friends, teachers and school of these two teenagers.

Dr. Michael Rubino has over 18 years experience working with teenagers. For more information about his work or private practice visit his website at http://www.rcs-ca.com