Another school shooting. What's next?

Earlier today, a 16-year-old walked into a rural California high school with a shotgun, shot a classmate and attempted to shoot someone else before a teacher and another staff member talked him into surrendering. No one was killed, though...

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How to deal with grief: A lesson from Sesame Street

Many years ago, our beloved PBS mainstay, Sesame Street, lost a beloved character, Mr. Hooper. And with that loss, they gained an opportunity to teach Big Bird—and their young audience—about death and dealing with loss. In light of the tragedy...

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Put your hearts up: Opening up about the Sandy Hook shooting

Just a few months ago, the world reeled following the Aurora movie theater shooting. And now, here we are again, shocked and horrified and unbelievably scared that it could happen to us, and, if we’re lucky, grateful that today, it...

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How to handle bad news with grace

Sometimes, life hands you a big ol’ bucket of lemons. And yeah, it totally stinks. Maybe your school district decided to cut funding for your ultimate Frisbee team, or your best friend’s parents decided to move across the country. Maybe Mom and Dad...

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What to do if you think a friend needs help

It’s easy to pretend that everything is all right—for you, for your family, for your friends. But sometimes, it’s just not, and that’s when its time to seek support, or offer it. Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. More people die...

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In the News: First day nightmare

Perry Hall High School in Baltimore County, Maryland had the worst first day imaginable today when a student brought a gun to school. A 17-year-old student with special needs was shot in the back in the school's cafeteria. Witnesses stated that a...

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Thinking about Aurora: How to keep calm and carry on in a scary world

When I read about what happened in Aurora, Colo., last Friday morning, I was stunned. The man who walked through the side door of that movie theater and opened fire graduated from high school the same year I did. The people in the...

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Craft paper cranes for Japan

According to old Japanese traditions, anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes will be granted a wish. In response to the devastating earthquake and tsunami, DoSomething.org is sponsoring a Paper Cranes for Japan initiative. They want to collect 100,000 photos of origami cranes folded...

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BFF trauma: How can I help her?

My best friend was raped a few weeks ago. She discovered she was pregnant and decided to get an abortion. I understand her choice and respect her decision, but her parents don’t—they kicked her out of the house. She’s moved in with my...

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My best friend died

My best friend died. Her brother was high and crashed as he was driving her to my house from her job. She lapsed in and out of a coma for a week and then died. I feel sad and guilty. ...

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