Eluna Community Conversation: Supporting Youth Grieving a Military-Related Death

Thank you to our moderator, panelists, and the many participants who joined this critical conversation on September 19th, 2024.

Military grief often presents unique challenges. This heartfelt community conversation focuses on supporting youth who are grieving a military-related death. This conversation also addresses stigmatized types of loss, such as death by suicide and overdose, which can present layers of complexity within military communities. Our expert panel provides valuable insights and share resources to foster supportive environments for families, educators, counselors, and community members dedicated to helping children navigate their grief.

This conversation is supported by: The Ronald A. Mincio Education Fund

Recommended Panelist Resources:

• TAPS offers support programs for children and teenagers grieving the death of a military family member. Led by caring professionals in the fields of child development, grief support, mental health, and education, TAPS Youth Programs provide safe spaces for military children to be supported in their grief while also experiencing fun, adventure, mentorship, and camaraderie.
• Tuesday’s Children provides a mentoring program for children and siblings of fallen military service members, regardless of circumstances of loss, designed to be a resource for interested families of children 6-18 years old.

Suicide Loss Resources from TAPS:

• Talking With Children About Suicide
• Coping with Suicide Loss
• Safe messaging handout and video 
• TAPS safety plan template
• Grief to Growth After Suicide Loss

Meet the Panelists:

Dr. Carla Stumpf Patton, Ed.D., LMHC, NCC, FT, CCTP – Senior Director of Suicide Prevention & Postvention at TAPS

Dr. Carla Stumpf Patton, Ed.D., LMHC, NCC, FT, CCTP, is the Senior Director of Suicide Prevention & Postvention at Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and is a suicidologist subject matter expert in the areas of grief, trauma, and suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. She is the surviving spouse of Sergeant Richard Stumpf, an Active Duty U.S. Marine Corps Drill Instructor and Gulf War Era Combat Veteran who died by suicide in 1994, several days before their only child was born. She is remarried to a retired U.S. Marine who was also a suicide loss survivor widower, with whom she shares five children.

Becky Rossman – Chief Executive Officer at Tuesday’s Children

Becky Rossman is the Chief Executive Officer at Tuesday’s Children, a national organization that provides healing and resilience for military families of the fallen and those who continue to be affected by 9/11. An Army Veteran with a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology, Becky brings 25 years of non-profit experience serving diverse populations affected by trauma.

Julie Walker – Camp Erin Online Family

Julie lives in Washington State with her energetic 10-year old son, Owen, and grumpy old dog, Leo. Over the past two years she has been navigating the complexities of her new life as a widow and single mom, after the death of her husband.

Meet the Moderator:

TaRhonda Thomas – Reporter at Channel 6-ABC

TaRhonda Thomas is with 6ABC Action News in Philadelphia. She holds the distinction of being the station’s very first Race and Culture Reporter, working across ABC networks to create meaningful, impactful stories that represent all people. TaRhonda Thomas comes to Action News from Denver, Colorado where she was an anchor and reporter. The Louisiana native is a graduate of LSU and has earned recognition that includes several Emmy Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and national awards from the Associated Press and the National Association of Black Journalists. TaRhonda became Gold Star sister when her brother, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Terry Thomas, made the ultimate sacrifice. For that reason, TaRhonda is passionate about advocating for Gold Star families, military families and veterans. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the nation’s first African American sorority. When she’s not reporting the news, TaRhonda is a busy wife and mom of three very athletic and active kids. She enjoys working out, indulging in skincare, spending time with her family, and visiting her parents in Louisiana.