Thanks for taking the time to reach out to us this evening. It sounds like your parents' divorce has been really tough on you to go through and to cope with. We know how difficult of an experience this can be for a person, so we are so glad to see that you are reaching out for some comfort and support instead of trying to go through this alone. Your feelings are important and it definitely sounds like your emotions are really weighing you down right now, that's tough to go through alone. We are definitely here for you.
We know that a divorce represents a huge change for you and can be a difficult transition to make, but you can make it. While your parents are splitting up, you will still have both parents in your life there for you. Your feelings are really strong right now and it can be a little scary to face a pending divorce, we definitely believe you. At the same time, this change in your life does not have to break you. By reaching out to us with your email you are really showing what a strong willed and resilient girl you are...you definitely seem to have what it takes to 'roll with the punches' as they say.
Talk to your parents and let them know how difficult this has been for you. We know that it might feel like you don't want to stress or worry your parents, but you deserve to have their support, comfort, and guidance...you are their daughter and the last thing they would want to discover is that you've been having such a difficult time and never opened up with them about it, ya know? We know you hurt right now, we believe you...that's why you deserve to have all of the help and support you need to get through this.
What have you been doing to cope with the emotions you've been having? Bottling everything up inside really weighs a person down, so please don't do that to yourself. It’s good for you to express your feelings in healthy ways- writing in a diary, drawing, writing poetry, exercise, and most forms of art are all incredible ways to express your feelings and relieve some stress. You deserve to have healthy coping skills because you and your feelings really do matter.
You wrote that you've been having suicidal thoughts, and that has us worried about you. Do you think that you're gonna be able to keep yourself safe? We know this is tough to go through, we believe you...that's why it is so important that you reach out to the people around you. You deserve to be safe, you truly do. Could you promise yourself to reach out to somebody (a parent, our hotline, 911) if you felt like you weren't going to be able to stay safe? We are a phone call away any time you need to talk or help to stay safe. We are here for you every step of the way.
Abe, Counselor