Newsletter #29 - Inspirational and motivational videos; steps to self harm recovery; coping with emotional abuse.

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TeenHelp Newsletter #29 - August 18th 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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New Videos section (August 14th 2012)

At the popular request of our users we have created a new "Inspirational and Motivational" section to our Videos system. Unlike many of our other videos that generally educational, the videos in this section have the potential to inform, inspire and lift your mood, so be sure to check out this section frequently for new additions when you're feeling a little down or just want to see something new.

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

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Latest videos (August 14th 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:

Beauty is not how skinny you can be
In this video, a four-year-old girl explains how everyone is unique, and how there will never be another person like you in the history of the world. The video also questions why you would want to be like anyone else, and encourages you to be the right, healthy size.

The don't quit poem
As the title says, this video contains a poem that encourages people to not quit during difficult times. The music is very inspiring and may give you the motivation to keep fighting.

Nacoa - A change is going to come
This is an amazing video by Nacoa, an organisation supporting children with alcoholic parents. The video tells its audience that they are not alone, and at the end, it explains about Nacoa, and how they can go to them for help. There is also a helpline on the screen throughout the video.

Inspirational quotes
This video contains a lot of inspirational quotes, which can help to motivate you into transforming your life.

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

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Latest articles (August 4th 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:

Coping with jealousy in relationships
Many people in relationships may deal with jealousy, which is a natural but often problematic emotion. Whether it is you or your partner who is feeling jealous, this article provides some straightforward steps to follow, which will help prevent the jealousy from ruining your relationship.

The Bathroom Mirror by Craig Barton
Written by one of our own volunteers, The Bathroom Mirror is a book for anyone who has been made to feel 'less than'. This quick and easy read reaches out to people of many backgrounds and with different experiences, and this review highlights some of its best points and also points out some things to be aware of before you read it.

Preparing for a school dance
While school dances can be a lot of fun and a great experience, there can also be a lot of stress involved in preparing for them. This article aims to reduce that stress by giving some concise and logical tips to help you make the most of the dance.

Seven steps to be self-harm free
Regardless of your reasons for self-harming, it can often be hard to stop - especially if you don't know how to go about beginning the recovery process. As the title suggests, this article provides seven steps to follow which will help you to overcome self-harm.

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

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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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RehabInfo

RehabInfo, although based in the US, contains a plethora of information for anyone looking to conquer addiction. The website includes signs and symptoms of different types of drug addictions, side effects, treatment options, a support guide to help families of sufferers, and much more. This is a great resource for those wanting to recover, and for those seeking help for a loved one.

http://www.rehabinfo.net/

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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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Staying positive

It is important to remain positive during difficult times, in order to help you overcome life's many obstacles. Here are some tips on how to stay positive.

• Don't get lost in self pity. Remember that you have the ability to change your outlook on life and the situation that you are in. If you cannot change the situation, then you can change the way you react to it. This is something that you can continually work on to increase your own happiness during tough times.
• Be thankful for the good things in your life. We all have some things in our lives that we wish were different. When you are feeling down about these things, make a list of the things you are thankful for. It is better to focus on the positive, rather than the negative.
• Change unhealthy self-talk. When you have a negative thought about yourself, counter it with two positives. Challenge your thinking: are the things that you are saying about yourself honestly true?
• Set goals for yourself. By setting goals, it gives you a reason to live and something to work for. Once you meet these goals, you will have feelings of self worth and happiness.
• Learn from your mistakes. We all make mistakes. It is how we react to them that defines us. You will make it a lot further in life if you accept the mistakes you have made, learn from them and move on. People often think that making mistakes automatically makes us a bad person. This isn't true. It just means that we still have room to grow and things to learn.

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

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How to cope with emotional abuse

Emotional abuse can affect anyone, but it can be difficult to detect as it often happens "behind closed doors" and the scars are invisible. It can have damaging effects on your mental health, from lowered self-esteem to extreme anxiety, but you do not have to suffer with this forever. Here are some tips on how to cope with and prevent emotional abuse.

• Learn to recognise the signs of emotional abuse, which can include: repeated verbal aggression, such as shouting, criticising, threatening, name-calling and commanding; dominating and controlling behaviour; and invalidating and dismissing your feelings.
• Emotionally abusive people tend to have a need for control. If this type of situation occurs, try not to give in and offer reasonable alternatives so that a compromise can be met.
• Take the responsibility to change your circumstances by talking to your abuser and using assertion to tell him/her that you will not tolerate that kind of behaviour.
• Try not to respond to the emotional abuse by showing that you are upset. Show that you are in control and leave the abusive environment if you need to.
• Seek support from the people who love and care about you most. Speaking to a counsellor may also be beneficial.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f13-rape-abuse/

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Home-made chocolate cookies

Chocolate chip cookies make delicious treats to serve to guests, or if you just want to indulge. Here is a quick and easy way to make chocolate chip cookies.

• Pre-heat the oven to 200°C, and line two baking trays with non-stick paper.
• In a mixing bowl, cream together 100g butter and 100g caster sugar, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Add 1 egg into the mixture, and sift in 175g plain flour and 1/2 tsp baking powder. Combine the ingredients, then stir in 150g chocolate chips.
• Roll the mixture into 18 small balls and place them equally onto the baking trays, leaving enough room for the mixture to spread as it cooks. Pat down each ball to make them flatter.
• Bake the cookie dough for about 12-15 minutes until golden brown (the time may vary depending on the oven). Leave the cookies to cool on the baking tray for five minutes, then place them on a wire rack to allow them to cool completely.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f184-food-recipes/

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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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Blogs

Advice from a tree
I bet you didn't know that a tree could give good advice. Take a look at this blog entry to see what this tree has to say.
http://www.teenhelp.org/blogs/belle....better-myself/

Something inspiring
Do you ever feel down, and in need of some motivation? This user has posted a beautiful poem in her blog. Check it out here!
http://www.teenhelp.org/blogs/%26%23...ing-inspiring/

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Albums

Turtles
If you're a fan of turtles this album is full of cute turtle pictures that you might like!
http://www.teenhelp.org/albums/greenie/a2567-turtles/

Music speaks what words cannot
They say that music expresses what words cannot. This album contains images with beautiful lyrics quoted on them.
http://www.teenhelp.org/albums/broke...+words+cannot/

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Threads

Come write a haiku
Do you like haikus? Read other users haikus, as well as writing your own here!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f40-s...e-write-haiku/

We're in this together
If you feel alone in your recovery then this thread serves as a reminder that we are all in this together, and that recovery is possible.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f12-s...e-together%3B/

A positive project
Are you having trouble staying positive? A user has posted a great idea on how to stay positive. Find out about it here!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f11-d...ject-you-guys/

Important life lessons
Throughout your lifetime, you will learn many important life lessons. What have you learnt so far?
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f3-ge...-life-lessons/

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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: Living with mental illness (Saturday August 18th 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: Managing break ups (Saturday August 25th 2012)

Have you, or someone you know, recently been through a very painful heartbreak? In this discussion, we will cover many areas, including, coping strategies, recovery stories, learning to hold your head up high, and much more.

Discussion: Facing the challenges of growing up (Saturday September 1st 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.

Discussion: Dealing with traumatic events (Saturday September 8th 2012)

Your long-term mental health can be affected by traumatic events; you may be left depressed, experiencing flash backs, or having trouble sleeping. Attend this discussion to learn about developing positive coping strategies to help you live past your traumatic experiences.

Discussion: Building confidence and self-esteem (Saturday September 15th 2012)

If you have low confidence or self-esteem you may find yourself unable to carry out certain tasks or feeling that you are disliked by others. These feelings might hold you back and stop you from enjoying life to its fullest. Join this discussion to learn techniques to give your self-esteem a boost, and how to work on building confidence for a more fulfilling lifestyle.

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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