Support Available for Students, Families Following Death of New Providence Teen – TAPinto.net
BERKELEY HEIGHTS,, NJ — A 17-year-old girl from New Providence was struck and killed by a train on Monday afternoon in Morris County.
The teen’s name has not been released, but New Providence residents with knowledge of the situation have confirmed the death of the rising senior at New Providence High School.
Since her death, administrators of both New Providence and Berkeley Heights school districts have sent messages to their school families, TAPinto obtained a copy of Berkeley Heights Superintendent Melissa Varley’s message.
She suggested to parents that if their child has “unresolved feelings” about the death, “you can help them by listening carefully and offering support to your child.” Counselors at Governor Livingston High School continue to have office hours this summer and parents can email their child’s counselor if they would like to make an appointment to speak to the counselor.
Dr. Varley provided a list of resources for those who would like additional help to help those dealing with loss. She noted it is not a comprehensive list and that “these resources are able to refer you to other supports.” The list follows:
If you are concerned about the safety of a loved one, please call 911 for immediate assistance.
2NDFLOOR, NJ Youth Helpline: 1-888-222-2228 2NDFLOOR is a confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey’s youth and young adults. We are here to help you find solutions to the problems that you face at home, at school or at play. www.2ndfloor.org
Good Grief, Inc.: Morristown, NJ 908-522-1999 We provide services to children, teens and young adults who have lost a parent or sibling to death. We also provide services for the children’s surviving parent(s) or caretaker. http://www.good-grief.org
Imagine: A Center for Coping with Loss 908-264-3100 Imagine is a not-for-profit organization supporting children and adults coping with loss and to foster resiliency and emotional well-being for all those who grieve. They offer free year-round peer grief support groups for children age 3- 18 who have had a parent or sibling die, and grief support groups for young adults 18-30 who have had a parent or sibling, friend or other family member die. www.imaginenj.org
She also provided a list of additional resources:
American Psychological Association: http://locator.apa.org
Network Therapy: http://www.networktherapy.com/directory/find therapist.asp
New Jersey Psychological Association: https://www.psychologynj.org/articles-resources
Perform Care: 1-877-652-7624 (24 hours/7 days) Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
NJ Self-Help Group Clearinghouse: http://www.njgroups.org 1-800-367-6274
Trinitas Regional Medical Center – Crisis Screening: Hotline: 908-994-7131
The teen was struck by a westbound Morris & Essex line train #423 in Long Hill Township at about 3:50 p.m., according to reports citing NJ Transit spokespeople.
Service was suspended between the Stirling and Murray Hill train stations for several hours as officials investigated the accident.