Counselors Offer Help to Grieving Grey Culbreth Students

Posted 11:00 a.m. Mar 30, 1998 — Updated 11:00 a.m. Mar 30, 1998

CHAPEL HILL — Counselors were on hand at Grey Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill Tuesday to help students deal with their grief. Monday, a 13-year-old girl brought a gun to school and shot herself while in the bathroom. She died a few hours later.

School leaders met Tuesday morning at the school administration building to address the situation. Administrators say they are trying to find ways to help everyone overcome and cope with their reactions to the tragedy.

Crisis teams were sent out to do what they could to ease the strain. Chapel Hill school spokesperson Betty Hoke told WRAL-TV5'sKelly Wrightabout some counseling procedures.

Assistant school superintendent Chester Preyar says the issue of guns on school campuses is a frightening reality. He says Chapel Hill school leaders have, at times, discussed the possibility of installing metal detectors.

School leaders are also considering adding resource officers to school staff. That, says Preyar, would help alleviate some of the problems students have in communicating with each other.Editor's Note:

Experts say 75 percent of teens who attempt suicide talk about it first. The following are some of the warning signs to look for:

Personality changes such as withdrawal from friends, family and normal activities

Verbal hints and warnings

Putting affairs in order, such as giving away personal possessions

Local resource groups such asTeen Talk and Hopelinecan provide assistance to teens considering suicide, even if the teens find it difficult to talk to parents or other people they know. Volunteer crisis counselors man the phones.

To reach Teen Talk, call919-231-3626, Monday - Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. Hopeline's phones are manned 24 hours a day at919-231-4525.

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