Newsletter #26 - Volunteering opportunities with TeenHelp; beating anxiety; ensuring your friends are right for you.

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TeenHelp Newsletter #26 - May 15th 2012 - 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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Welcoming a new Videos Officer (May 13th 2012)

TeenHelp is pleased to welcome Suvrita (Childish Giggle) as our new Videos Officer. Suvrita, a very capable and dedicated volunteer, will be responsible for reviewing and choosing new videos, and for keeping the Videos section up-to-date. We wish Suvrita all the best in her new role.

http://www.teenhelp.org/videos/

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Expanded Private Message storage for users (May 9th 2012)

If you're a registered user you may have noticed that your Private Message capacity has increased. All users and volunteers will see that their TeenHelp inboxes have increased to 1,000 messages. Meanwhile, those who have donated to us in order to receive the 'Private Message increase' incentive will see their capacity has been vastly expanded to 50,000 messages from the original 5,000. This change will help all of those registered on our website to communicate more easily with others and prevent you from having to delete your old messages - as well rewarding those people who have been generous enough to donate to us in the past.

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

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Join our volunteer team to support TeenHelp (May 6th 2012)

If you are interested in a career in psychology, or if you simply like to help, TeenHelp has a number of unique volunteering opportunities, no matter your level of experience or knowledge.

• Do you love to write, have good writing skills, and want to contribute to the ever-growing articles base? Apply to become an Article Editor. The two positions currently available are: Sex and Relationships Editor and Lifestyle Editor.
• Are you friendly, outgoing, and know, in depth, how TeenHelp operates? Apply for a Buddy position to greet and assist new members around the site.
• Do you enjoy sharing your experiences, insight and advice? Consider applying to be a HelpLINK Mentor or Live Help Operator, and give advice and support to youngsters from around the world.

http://www.teenhelp.org/apply/

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Latest articles (May 1st 2012)

Our team of talented writers bring our users a constant stream of fresh articles to read each month. Articles are being published regularly, so be sure to check regularly to see what we're doing. Some of our latest additions include:

Kicking comparison to the curb

If you have ever compared yourself to someone else (and let’s face it, who hasn’t?) this article may help. This article looks at why people feel the need to compare themselves to others, and how you can go about breaking free from this cycle and loving yourself for who you are.

Recognizing signs of an abusive relationship

This article deals with some of the major signs that you might be in an abusive relationship – and how to tell if you are being abused, or the one doing the abusing. It also explains different ways of improving a relationship.

Makeup tips and techniques

While everyone has different ideas on beauty and style, this article will give you some basic tips and tricks on how to use make-up tools and techniques. It also has a reminder about what constitutes real beauty.

Countering your anxiety

Although everybody experiences some anxiety at times, some may be more significantly impacted by it. In this article you will find some different responses to anxiety, as well as some effective ways you can deal with it.

http://www.teenhelp.org/articles/

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Latest videos (April 28th 2012)

Due to the hard work of our Videos Team, we continue to see many great additions to our Videos section. More videos are being added all the time, so check regularly to see all our favourite picks! Some of our latest additions include:

How To Stay Awake

Feeling sleepy at a crucial moment or when you need to be alert is never ideal. This video will give you useful tips on staying awake, including altering the environment that you are in, what to eat and drink, and how to get refreshed.

How To Stop Excessive Sweating

Excessive sweating can be an embarrassing problem for many people, but it can be solved. This video explains what the underlying problems could be, and ways of preventing and alleviating sweating.

How To Use Commas

Placing punctuation marks can sometimes be confusing. This video teaches you about the different types of commas, their function, and how to use them; a great reference tool if you need a little help.

How To Care For Corn Snakes

Exotic pets may be fun to keep, but they need lots of care and attention. This video contains information on how to care for corn snakes, including how to house and handle them, what they should eat and how much exercise they need, and how to make sure that they are healthy.

http://www.teenhelp.org/videos/latest/

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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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KidsHealth

KidsHealth is a site about promoting a whole range of health issues and providing easy to understand information and guidance. KidsHealth is separated into four different sections for parents, kids, teens and educators. Each section contains a comprehensive collection of articles, written without 'doctor speak', on a variety of health concerns, from emotional well-being to physical health. The articles have all been reviewed by a team of medical experts, and this is a great resource if you want to learn more about your health.

http://www.kidshealth.org

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To Write Love On Her Arms

To Write Love On Her Arms began in the Spring of 2006, when a story was told as a way of helping a friend, which later had far-reaching effects worldwide. To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) is a non-profit movement dedicated to helping those living with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. Its mission is to encourage, inform and inspire, and to let people know that they are not alone. Their website contains inspiring and informative videos, facts about mental health, and useful resources on where to find help.

http://www.twloha.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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Choosing the right friends

Throughout your life, you acquire bad friends, along with good friends. Some of those friends will be bad influences, and some will take part in guiding you in a positive direction.

• Choose friends who share similar interests as you.
• Friends need to treat you with respect. Steer clear from friends who do not value your opinions, who talk down to you, and those who are not there for you.
• Laughter is important. Make sure that your friends can make you laugh.
• Find friends who support you. You are going to have goals and dreams. Your friends should be helping you reach your goals and bringing you up along the way.
• It is important for people to follow rules and the law. By having friends that are typical "rule breakers", you are potentially putting yourself in situations where you could get in trouble as well. These are the type of friends who will bring you down in life.
• Treat your friends the way you want to be treated. What comes around, goes around.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f18-friends-family/

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Letting go of your past

Dwelling on the past can cause prolonged emotional upheaval and can stop you from living in the present. Letting go of your past may be one of the hardest things that you'll ever do, but here are some tips and suggestions to help you along the way.

• Be prepared to face the challenges of unresolved issues of the past. Before you can move on, you may need to confront your experiences and learn from them. Professional guidance may be beneficial here.
• Accept that the past can never be altered; while you cannot re-write what happened, you can change your perception of it, and how you deal with it from now on.
• Express your feelings and then let it go. If you later find that your thoughts are being occupied with the past, purposefully shift your focus on the present. Tell yourself, "I am here in the present time, and I am living in the now."
• Eliminate your past from present and future equations; try not to let the negativity of the past transfer to current situations. For example, if your previous relationship failed, it doesn't mean that the next one is doomed. Take a leap of faith, as each outcome will be different.
• Remember that you have the power to change things, but be patient and kind to yourself. Take it slowly and start branching out in new directions.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f14-mental-health/

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Stay healthy during summer

The long awaited summer is nearly here. It is an excellent time to go out and have fun, but we should not let down our guard. Here are a few tips on how to stay healthy all summer long.

• Drink plenty of water and take a bottle with you if you plan to stay out for a long duration.
• If you have asthma or any respiratory problems, check the air quality before going out, and limit the amount of time you spend in areas with poor air quality. Take your inhaler with you when you go out.
• Use suncream and apply it generously and frequently throughout the day. Wear a hat and sunglasses as well.
• Wear light, loose clothing to help you stay cooler.
• If you are planning to do a lot of walking, make sure you wear decent and comfortable shoes.
• Maintain your energy levels, avoiding fatty and sugary foods. Concentrate on eating carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables.
• Take a rest. Be careful not to push yourself beyond your limits and rest in shady areas.

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

What are some of the things you collect?
Collecting things can be a fun hobby. People collect things such as stamps, bookmarks, snow globes, and much more. What do you collect?
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f219-...s-you-collect/

Teens who see counsellors
Many teens see a counsellor and their experiences vary widely. This thread discusses a range of experiences our users have had with counsellors.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f14-m...ee-counselors/

Post what you like about your life
We often forget the things we like about our life when we are stuck in a depression. What do you like about your life and what are you grateful for?
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f11-d...out-your-life/

What are some of your favourite books and why?
With so many books being published all of the time, check out this thread to see what some of our users favourite reads are!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f198-...ooks-why-they/

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Social Groups

Generation TeenHelp
Do you think it is time to take a stand and change today's society? Join this group to show the world that the younger generation do make a contribution in their community.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...tion+teenhelp/

The Chess Club
If you have a passion for chess, or want to learn how to play, join this group to learn the best tactics, swap strategies, and make friends with the same interest!
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups/g340-+chess+club/

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Each month we feature a picture by one of our users. If you would like to see your picture here please contact us by replying to this Newsletter, emailing us at contact@teenhelp.org, or messaging our Newsletter Officer (Halcyon) on the website.


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Upcoming events

Discussion: Rape and abuse (Saturday May 19th 2012)

Rape or abuse may feel impossible to talk about, but whether it is verbal, physical, or emotional, you are not alone! This discussion will connect you with others and help you to cope with what you are going through.

Discussion: Living with mental illness (Saturday May 26th 2012)

Although one in four people experience mental health problems, there is regrettably still a stigma attached to it, which prevents people from seeking help. Consequently, living with a mental illness can be a particularly isolating time. If you're concerned about your mental health, join this discussion to discuss day-to-day coping techniques, how to reach out to professionals and other aspects of living with mental illness.

Discussion: Pregnancy and childcare (Saturday June 2nd 2012)

Being pregnant, giving birth and raising a child are all challenging! You may never know what to fully expect during pregnancy, or while a child is growing up, but join us for this discussion and have some of your questions answered or share your knowledge.

Discussion: Facing the challenges of growing up (Saturday June 9th 2012)

The transition from childhood, through adolescence and into adulthood can be very testing, as you seek to find greater independence and a balanced lifestyle, while also coping with the developmental, emotional and psychological changes to your mind and body. You are not alone, however. Join this discussion for advice on how to make the transition easier, and to learn from the experiences of others.

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
Newsletter Officer/Deputy Editor: Haley (Halcyon)
Assistant Editor: Jessie (eunoia)
Assistant Editor: Lyndsee (Heartlines.)
Assistant Editor: Rianna (Sunlight.)

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