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Community, School Grieving Loss of Teens to Suicide

GAMBLE TOWNSHIP — Classmates and a community are grieving two teenagers who took their own lives and counselors are trying to help them understand and pre...

GAMBLE TOWNSHIP -- Classmates and a community are grieving two teenagers who took their own lives and counselors are trying to help them understand and prevent.

There were EMS workers surrounding the boat launch at Rose Valley Lake Tuesday afternoon after responding to reports of two shooting victims. The coroner said the teenage boy and girl had died by suicide, leaving notes behind.

"Getting them to reach out and look for some help or support is really important before it gets to be anything as tragic as this," Deborah Duffy said.

Deborah Duffy is the administrator at the Lycoming-Clinton Mental Health Center in Williamsport. Case workers from her agency are stationed at all of the schools in Lycoming and Clinton Counties.

"They work very closely with the school district student assistance programs where teachers, faculty, staff can identify students they feel may be at risk," Duffy said.

On Wednesday, those case workers were all at the Williamsport Area School District for support. That's where the two teenagers went to high school.

The district's superintendent said, "We are shocked and saddened by these students' deaths. We extend our condolences to their families during this very difficult time."

"There's such a mixture of emotions that it's almost impossible to describe unless you've been through it," Joe Miller said.

Joe Miller is with the Lycoming County Suicide Prevention Coalition. He has lost both friends and family members to suicide. Now he tries to help others. Miller says it's important to notice changes in loved ones' behavior.

"Very often people will often talk to someone or even drop hints about what they're planning to do. It's during those moments that you have to take the person seriously," Miller said.

The experts tell Newswatch 16 the most important thing you can do for someone who is suffering is simply to be there for them.

"A lot of times people are afraid to come out and discuss the topic openly with someone, but really that may be the one thing that person needs to get them on a path to healing," Miller said.

If you or someone you know is suffering, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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