Our approach to expanding support networks for children and teenagers affected by suicide is to initiate a pen pal program where children can exchange letters or emails with older, younger, or the same age peers who have similar experiences with them.

The guidelines for the program are to write to your pen pal two times per month for six months meaning it is a six month commitment. The letters can be brief and through any method of communication the pairs decide upon(email, mail, etc.). Letters can be about serious topics or not. Some examples of discussion are hometowns, schools, families/friends, hobbies/ extracurricular activities, or your “why” for joining the initiative. Parents should look over the letters if they feel it is necessary and they should report any inappropriate content to the program and their child’s partnership will be discontinued.

Some Prompt Ideas

“Tell me about a time you felt happy or sad.”

• “Talk about a time where you leaned on a friend or family member for support or a friend or family member leaned on you(in positive or negative moments).”

• “How would your best friend describe you?”

• “Who is the person you admire most?”

• “Talk about the place that feels most like home to you.”

• “What have you always wanted to try but haven’t?”

• “Talk about a moment when you felt completely out of your comfort zone.”

• “What kinds of coping skills do you rely on in times when you're feeling upset? (i.e., going for a walk, talking to someone, listening to music.”

• “Tell me something about yourself that you’re proud of.”

• “What is the hardest lesson you’ve learned?”

• “Talk about one of your favorite memories.”

• “Talk about an object that you have had forever.”

• “Tell me about what you are grateful for today.”

• “What is something you wish you could tell your younger or older self?”

• “Talk about a time when you had to forgive someone or ask for forgiveness.”

• “Talk about your favorite place you have traveled to and why or a place you want to travel to and why.”