DEAR ABBY: I am 13 years old. My brother, "Chris," died a month ago at the age of 16. He was killed by a drunk driver.
I would like to talk about the good times Chris and I had together, but people avoid the subject. If I bring it up, they either make an excuse to walk away or change the subject. Even my mom and dad won't talk about him! I know they're uncomfortable, but it makes me feel like no one cared about Chris.
Sometimes I get really depressed about it and almost suicidal. I am seeing a counselor, but it's not the same talking to a counselor as to your friend. How do I deal with these people? -- GRIEVING SISTER IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR GRIEVING SISTER: Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I'm sure that being able to talk about your brother would make it easier to deal with the feelings you have about his death. However, your parents may be in too much pain themselves right now to talk about it without breaking down. And your friends may feel unable to handle the emotions you are experiencing.
Please tell your therapist that you would like him or her to recommend a grief support group that you can join. In these groups, everyone has suffered a loss –- and if you are willing to listen to them, they will also listen to you. It's not the same as confiding in your contemporaries, but you may find that you will make friends within the group.