Signs you might be autistic (and not know it) By Holly (Celyn) Many people go through their life without knowing they might be autistic. This might be because family members, teachers and friends might not know much about autism or might only know about the autistic stereotype (usually a boy, who has few friends, isn’t particularly verbal and is ‘obsessed’ with particular topics for example, trains) and therefore might not see you as being autistic. This is especially true if you are...
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Travelling Abroad By Haley (Halcyon) While travelling abroad can be an amazing experience, it can also be quite stressful. Travelling abroad requires a lot of organisation and planning. Things like insurance, passports, currency, flights, and other factors need to be taken into consideration before travelling. Everything must fall into place to ensure a safe and timely trip. Here are some things to consider while planning your journey. Passports and Visas Before you think about...
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How to tell when your pet is unwell By Charlie (Horsefeathers.) Whether your pet has fur, feathers, or scales, you probably only want the best for them. That’s why it’s important to know not only how to take care of them but how to gauge whether they’re in good health. Most health and behavioural problems can be dealt with more easily and effectively if they’re noticed sooner, so being aware of what’s normal for your pet and what’s abnormal can be vital in ensuring they live a long and...

Remember to care for yourself during the COVID-19 pandemic! By Anonymous The pandemic that we’ve come to know as COVID-19 is a contagious disease within the coronaviridae family which originated in Wuhan, China during the final months of 2019. The pandemic, which is approaching its second year, has taken a significant toll on the global human population — even in Antarctica! Thousands of individuals have lost their lives as a direct result of the pandemic; while the lives of others got...

Double standards: What they are and how to cope with them By Cassie (cynefin) Double standards sometimes have a few variations in their definition. They are frequently observed among romantic and familial relationships and friendships and coworkers. These standards occur when someone expects another to act a certain way but does not hold the themselves to the same standards. They can also be seen when someone treats two friends differently, or even in abusive relationships. Double...

Coping with the Covid-19 pandemic By Hollie (Everglow.) Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic began at the end of 2019, the world as we know it has changed drastically. Globally, we have endured lockdowns, isolation, and a continuous stream of unsettling statistics and news stories, all of which have made adjusting and coping with the situation a challenge. It is very natural to be struggling with this seemingly endless pandemic, so here are five top-tips for coping with the on-going pandemic. ...
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Colouring for mindfulness By Lydia (WhisperingSilence) Over the past few years, colouring has become a more popular pastime or a hobby for many adults around the world. Colouring is usually an activity associated with young children, and there are benefits such as children finding it calming and relaxing and teaches youngsters about colouring and improving hand-eye coordination while also allowing a freedom of expression and building on their imagination. These benefits are also the same...
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'Assassin's Apprentice' by Robin Hobb: A review By Sue (Matter) Ever wondered what dragons, standing stones, politics and jester’s prophecies have in common? If I got you interested, you’re about to find out about one of the best fantasy novels ever written. The topic of this review is a 1995 Robin Hobb’s novel ‘Assassin’s Apprentice’, which is the first book in The Farseer Trilogy. It follows the story of a prince’s bastard son, Fitz Chivalry, and is written through his eyes...
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Are you a 'toxic' friend? By Holly (Celyn) Are you a ‘toxic’ friend? You may have come across online articles and social media posts talking about traits of ‘toxic’ people, why such people are bad for us and what to do about them. Such articles and posts describe many negative characteristics of a person and may end by suggesting using boundaries or cutting contact with said person. However, what if you relate and feel that you might be a toxic friend? Are you really a toxic friend? If...

Reflecting on 23 Years of TeenHelp! By Stacey (Stacey) and Dez (Wheek!) TeenHelp turned 23 years old on July 13, 2021! To celebrate, myself (Stacey) and Wheek! (Dez) took some time to reflect on our years on TH and talk to other “oldies/OG/long-time” members. For many of us long-time members, TH started as a safe, supportive community that helped us through all kinds of challenges but quickly became more than that; with many of us developing life-long friendships and shifting to Staff...

An interview with a 3x sexual assault victim By Sarah (Rivière) and Anonymous For many, sexual assault is an incredibly traumatising experience. One exceptionally difficult to process, and move forward from. It can be difficult to come forward and speak out about both the experience of sexual abuse, and the effects it has. A user of TeenHelp — whose name will remain anonymous — has willingly allowed us to interview them and discuss their experiences as a triple sexual assault victim, and...

Hiring a Personal Trainer: The Role of a PT and How to Determine Which is Right For You By Sarah (Rivière) The role of a personal trainer The role of a personal trainer is to be a fitness educator. The client should receive training on correct exercise technique, nutritional guidance, and to be more self-aware of their own body. Each of these things help the client to reach their fitness goal(s). A personal trainer is not a dietician, and must stay within their scope of practice....