Education Opportunities

Hold On Another Day

Posted July 26, 2012

Isabel Thottam is a 21-year-old woman who began an organization called “Hold on Another Day.” Basically, she partners with non-profit organizations and for every inspirational mix CD she sells, one is donated to a non-profit who specifically deals with people suffering from depression, stress, and anxiety. Isabel dealt with depression herself when she was in high school. “I just wanted to find a way to send a positive message through music to help others the way music helped me,” said Isabel. Danica Davidson from MTV had the opportunity to interview Isabel. To read the interview and learn more about this awesome project, click here!

Photo: One of the campaign images for Hold On Another Day. (holdonanotherday.org)

The Truth About Weed From Teens Like You

Posted July 13, 2012

Three teenage girls submitted stories to Seventeen Magazine about a personal experience with marijuana that left them terrified and convinced that the supposed not-so-harmful drug is actually more harmful and dangerous than most people like to admit. Check out the article written by Holly Eagleson to get a first-hand glance at why weed is not necessarily as natural and harmless as your friend, co-worker, family member, or some other person would like you to believe.

The following is just one small section of the article:

Weed isn’t just more popular — it’s also more dangerous than ever. Here’s why:

It’s addictive. Teens are three times more likely to get addicted to pot than adults — even if you’re not a regular hard-core smoker.

It messes up your mind. Daily use of marijuana for girls makes you five times more likely to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety.

It makes you sick. Just one joint has as many cancer-causing chemicals as five cigarettes.

To check out the rest and to read the personal stories, click here!

Eating Disorders

Posted May 16, 2012

You may be struggling with an eating disorder at this very moment. Or if you are not, it is possible that a friend or a family member who you love is silently struggling and maybe no one has a clue. It is hard to ever really know what any given person is dealing with in their day-to-day life because a lot of times there is shame, guilt, and depression attached to issues such as eating disorders. Many people walk around day after day putting on a front that will be pleasing and “appropriate” to others and for this reason, sometimes the most unlikely person you would ever think could be the one who is depressed, or who is thinking about suicide, or who has an eating disorder. Don’t let cliché stereotypes stand in the way of recognizing red flags and being able to support a loved one who needs you. If you have suspicions that your friend, sister, brother, cousin, etc. may have an eating disorder, it is completely okay to just voice your concerns and ask the person straight out if they think they might have an eating disorder. It can be a very awkward and tense conversation to start out, but your loved one who has likely been suffering all alone will be so relieved and feel like a ton of bricks has been lifted just by having someone acknowledge that something is wrong while also being supportive and nonjudgmental.

If this is a conversation that you think you may want to have with someone in the near future and you would like some helpful tips and guidance on how to go about that, please give the YouthLine a call at 1-877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 66746. A teen on the YouthLine would be glad to help you out. If you are someone who is struggling with an eating disorder and you feel like you are all alone, please know that you are not alone and there is at least one person out there who cares very much about your safety, health, and well-being. You are strong, beautiful, and have a purpose. Your weight does not determine your worth! Below are a few helpful links about the road to recovery and success stories from others who have overcome eating disorders. Please contact the YouthLine if you have no one to talk to and need a safe person who listens and cares.

For the girls!

Posted April 19, 2012

Life as a teenage girl can be awesome! But, it can also be hard, confusing, and overwhelming with the changes that you are going through as you become a woman. Not to mention the struggles that come along with school, drama, boy problems, and more! Dealing with this stuff on your own can be really tough, but luckily no one expects you to go through it alone. That’s why the YouthLine is here! If you are unable or uncomfortable talking to friends or family about the tough issues that come along with being a girl, you can give us a call at 1-877-968-8491. The line is available 24/7. You can also text teen2teen to 66746 or visit www.theyouthline.org to chat with the YouthLine. Teens are available to answer calls, text messages, and chats Monday-Friday from 4-9pm. It is confidential and anonymous no matter how you contact us.

Click on the image below to visit an awesome website just for girls! You can find information on the changes your body is going through, relationship issues, sex and STD related information, general life questions you may have, and there’s even a section on looks and style.

SENIORITIS

Posted March 14, 2012

senioritis

It’s a deadly disease that hits seniors in the spring every year. It’s highly infectious and there are some fatal cases. Some seniors never make it out alive… I have senioritis SO BAD. I don’t even know what happened to me.

Classic symptoms are : Procrastination of epic proportions, Apathy, Lack of Motivation, Narcolepsy, Overconfidence in the kindness of your teachers, and Truancy.