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# Support session to address recent death of Samohi student
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/support-session-to-address-recent-death-of-samohi-student/
- Published: 2011-01-25T08:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-12-03T20:50:31.000Z
- Description: Families are invited to a support session at Santa Monica High School tonight (Jan. 25) to discuss the community’s psychological needs after the tragic suicide of Matthew Mezza, a freshman who jumped to his death Jan.
- Author: Admin
- Tags: News, Samohi, santa monica high school, santa monica malibu unified, School, school district, vikings, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-06 13:52

Families are invited to a support session at Santa Monica High School tonight (Jan. 25) to discuss the community’s psychological needs after the tragic suicide of Matthew Mezza, a freshman who jumped to his death Jan. 14 in front of horrified classmates.

The panel discussion, “After a Crisis: Understanding and Supporting your Child,” will include ample opportunity for family members to ask questions and connect with counseling services. Therapists will be on hand.

Panelists include Dr. Monica Salinas, who serves the Latino community; Joel McLafferty, a therapist with Family Services of Santa Monica; Richard Lieberman, the coordinator of the Suicide Prevention Unit of the Los Angeles Unified School District; and Dr. Elaine Leader, co-founder and executive director of TEEN LINE, a confidential hotline for teenage callers.

The discussion is sponsored by Samohi and the PTA. It will be held at 7 p.m., in the Samohi Cafeteria.