DEAR ABBY: My 15-year-old daughter's best friend took her life today. My daughter is devastated.
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As a parent, I don't know what to do. I'm afraid to go to bed this evening because I want her to fall asleep before me. It hurts not being able to take that pain from your child. I want to hold her in my arms tonight. She needs her space, but I don't know how to help her.
I don't know how it feels to be so young and lose a best friend by her own hand. What can I do? -- HOW DO I TAKE THE PAIN AWAY
DEAR HOW: The smartest thing you and the parents of other friends of the deceased girl can do is to see that your children have access to grief counseling by a professional. When a tragedy like this happens, many schools offer it to the students, but if this isn't being offered at the school your daughter and her friend attended, then the parents should step in.