DEAR ABBY: This year was awful. One of my friends shot himself. A few weeks ago a classmate hit a young man, and the guy died. Now I have just learned that yesterday another classmate was killed in a car crash.
All I want to do is hide in my room. I'm scared of what is happening. Who are we going to lose next? Please tell me how to handle this. -- SCARED IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR SCARED: When deaths happen with no warning, it is shocking and scary, and you have had more than your share. When tragedies such as you have described happen during the school year, many schools invite grief counselors to come and talk with the students, which can be helpful. If that hasn't happened where you live, it would be a good idea for you and some of your friends to discuss your feelings with a clergyperson or another trusted adult who can guide you through the normal emotions people experience during the grieving process.