Newsletter #10 - HelpLINK changes; stop bullying in schools; planning your vacation.

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TeenHelp Newsletter #10 - January 15th 2011 - http://www.teenhelp.org

Welcome to the TeenHelp Newsletter! Our Newsletter contains a lot of useful information about our current work, including updates to our site and services, work with our partners and affiliates, details of upcoming events, short bits of advice, interesting links and more!

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TeenHelp regularly makes changes to its site and services. Some of these are large and noticeable, and others are small and much less so, but each one contributes to the positive development of TeenHelp and how our users experience our community. Below are some of the most recent developments.

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HelpLINK changes (January 13th 2011)

HelpLINK is TeenHelp's email support system. For the past few years, each HelpLINK request submitted received at least three unique replies from our team of dedicated HelpLINK Mentors. As we grow and reach a greater number of people, however, we have found our supply can't meet your demand. Beginning shortly, HelpLINK will become a more personal, one-on-one experience, with each request receiving between one and three replies, depending on the situation and whether we feel it needs further responses. This change will ensure that our users receive the support and advice they seek in a more timely manner. This will also enable our Mentors to be more active in other areas of the site, so expect to see more of them soon!

http://www.teenhelp.org/helplink/

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Resource condensing (January 4th 2011)

Recently a team of Project Coordinators and Project Advisors consolidated TeenHelp's Resources, combining the outdated resource stickies with the Resources page. All of TeenHelp's affiliates can now be found in one centralized location, and we can now ensure we endorse only quality websites and organisations.

http://www.teenhelp.org/resources/

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TeenHelp works with a range of different organisations and websites in order to help and educate young people. Below is a selection of some of them. For a full list of the organisations we work with, please visit our Resources page.

http://www.teenhelp.org/resources/

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Stop A Bully

Stop A Bully is a Canadian program that aims to directly tackle bullying in schools. Their website provides a safe and anonymous way for young people to report bullying to their schools. They also work closely with many schools in Canada and other organisations to raise awareness of bullying issues and to prevent it from happening.

http://www.stopabully.ca

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AboveTheInfluence

AboveTheInfluence is an interactive website for teenagers designed to create awareness of drug-related influences and peer pressures. Learn about specific drugs, their street names, myths associated with substances, and the science behind drug addiction, or take quizzes and watch videos of real life stories. If you have a specific concern, you can even ask an expert.

http://www.abovetheinfluence.com

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Each month we share small bits of practical advice that you can implement to improve your life or that of others.

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Planning a vacation

Having a great vacation is difficult when you leave it to the last minute to plan, so get a head start on your next vacation right away.

• Save money in advance. If you don't have a savings account, keep a jar in your room and drop some cash in each day; anything will do, spare change or big bucks all add up to something!
• Determine how you intend to reach your destination. Whether by plane, train, sea or car, you'll need to set money aside to travel. For better deals, remember that it is best to buy your tickets sooner rather than later!
• Once you arrive, you will need accommodation! Whether you're crashing with a friend, camping, or staying in a hotel, it's usually best to make plans (and reservations) ahead of time.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f222-travel-moving/

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Golden rules of napping

Napping is a great way to refresh yourself when you've been working too hard or staying up late on projects for school or work. Try these ideas to get the most out of your naps:

• During sleep our bodies naturally cycle roughly every 90 minutes from shallow to deep sleep, so try to time your nap for a multiple of this (for example, three hours long) to ensure you're waking up from shallow sleep - you will feel much less grouchy when you do!
• Be sure to set your alarm so you don't accidentally sleep longer than you would like to.
• If you nap wrong then when you wake up you will feel lousy and be tempted to go straight back to bed - try these tips to help you get up and stay up:
  • Sleep on top of your bed, in clothes, to keep yourself less comfortable.
  • Sleep with the light on or curtains open (depending on the time of day), which will keep you in a much lighter sleep by inhibiting melatonin release (a hormone that makes you tired).
  • Sleep when you're not totally exhausted - napping after you've been up about 10-12 hours is probably best.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f219-lifestyle/

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How to avoid getting sick

The spread of contagious illness increases drastically in the cold, winter months. We all know to drink a lot of orange juice and eat chicken soup when you're sick, but how can you avoid illness in the first place?

• Get plenty of sleep. You should aim to get eight to ten uninterrupted hours of sleep a night.
• Make sure you are getting the vitamins and minerals that you need, including vitamin C.
• Drink a lot of water. You should typically try to drink about eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
• Wash your hands. Don't use the same objects that a person who is sick has used until they are properly sanitized. If you don't have access to hand washing, use a sanitizer!
• Get your influenza vaccination. Although the flu shot isn't guaranteed to prevent the flu in everyone, it does help many.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f16-general-health/
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A lot of content is posted to TeenHelp every single day, from threads to articles, social groups to albums. But it is difficult for even the most veteran user to keep on top of it all, so we have selected a few items from among the masses that we thought were interesting to draw your attention to.

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Threads

New Year's resolutions, anyone??
The New Year is a time of reflection and growth, a time to remember the past and to envision the changes we would like to make in our lives. What do you hope to achieve in 2011?
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f3-ge...utions-anyone/

January Exams
If you have exams this month you're not the only one; hit the books and good luck!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f22-e...january-exams/

How did you choose your user name?
Usernames are a form of self expression and can say a lot about a person. What inspired yours?
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f32-c...our-user-name/

How Many People in the U.S. Have Your Name?
Have you ever wondered just how popular your first and last names are? Here's your chance to find out and share with your friends!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f32-c...ave-your-name/

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Social Groups

Foster Care Kids
As a foster child life can feel lonely, but there are others who understand what you are facing. Here you'll find friendship and support from people who have been there, just like you.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...ter+care+kids/

Fitness Friends
If you resolved to get in shape the healthy way in 2011, you probably know that support will help your progress. Join your friends and make some new ones on your quest for fitness!
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...tness+friends/

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Upcoming events

Discussion: Health (drop in) (Saturday January 22nd 2011)

Do you find that the fast pace of everyday life gives you little time to look after yourself and take care of your health? Each new day brings new demands, makes us busier, and we often neglect the basics, which leaves us susceptible to illness and other health concerns. Join this discussion for tips on how to stay or become healthy, or if you have questions about your health.

Discussion: Mental health (drop in) (Saturday January 29th 2011)

Many people find themselves touched by mental health issues at some point in their life, whether it affects us directly, or someone we know and care about. The stigma behind mental health may be preventing you or a loved one from seeking the support you need and deserve in order to recover, but you're not alone. No matter what your mental health concern, this discussion is for you.

Discussion: Puberty and growing up (Saturday February 5th 2011)

Adolescence can be a time of both great confusion and great change. From sex and puberty to the inevitable challenge of making the right choices, this discussion will help you to deal with the changes we must all face as young adults growing up.

Discussion: Depression (Saturday February 12th 2011)

Depression is a pattern of low moods that can affect all aspects of your life, and is often accompanied by low self-esteem and withdrawal from emotional and social activities. This discussion will help you learn how to reach out for help, and begin to recover from depression.

For more information about upcoming Facilitated Chat Room Discussions (FCRDs), and the times that these discussions will take place, please visit our FCRD page.

http://www.teenhelp.org/chat/discussions/

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Donate to TeenHelp

In order to continue providing free services to young people around the world, TeenHelp requires a constant income of voluntary donations to support our regular costs. If you are able to, we ask that you please donate any money you can to us, even if it's only a few dollars.

http://www.teenhelp.org/donate/

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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Our Facebook and Twitter pages are a great place to get a lot of high-quality information. We aim to connect you to interesting organisations, volunteering opportunities, events, news stories, pictures, videos, and more!

Facebook: http://www.teenhelp.org/facebook
Twitter: http://www.teenhelp.org/twitter

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Editorial team

Editor-in-Chief: Rob
Deputy Editor: Briana
Assistant Editor: Brittany (.Brittany.)
Assistant Editor: Haley (Halcyon)
Support Editor: Jessie

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