Newsletter #36 - Expanding our reach through Tumblr; interviewing a TeenHelp user; de-cluttering your bedroom.

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TeenHelp Newsletter #36 - March 16th 2013 - 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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Introducing a Tumblr page (March 15th 2013)

Tumblr is a great blogging website that many people, both organisations and individuals, use to discuss and share things with the people around them. This month TeenHelp is launching its own Tumblr page to help connect with our users, as well as reaching others who might not be aware of our services. Like our other social networking pages we will use this to promote what we do, as well as share interesting things such as articles, pictures and videos we come across. Follow us on Tumblr to get all of the information you need!

http://www.teenhelp.org/tumblr

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Latest videos (March 6th 2013)

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 talk to people: Better communication skills

We are often faced with situations in which we don't always know what to say. In this video, a life coach explains how to start conversations, how to show that you are actively listening to the other person, how to concentrate on the conversation, and what makes good body language.

Prenatal yoga

In this video, you are guided slowly through simple yoga exercises that can be performed at any stage in a pregnancy. Peaceful music is played in the background throughout the video, and you are also taught breathing exercises and the benefits of breathing deeply. This is a useful video for anyone who is pregnant, especially those who are anxious because it is their first time.

Supporting someone through mental illness

In this video, two brothers discuss how important it is to have a support system in place when someone in the family is suffering from a mental illness. One brother goes on to explain that we are still people; our needs may change, so we have to find a way of communicating or doing things differently in order to support someone.

How to calculate percentages

There are different methods of calculating percentages, be it percentage increase and decrease, finding the percentage of a number, and working out the total amount when you have a percentage. If mathematics is not one of your strong subjects, or if you simply want to refresh your memory, this video will provide you with easy to understand step-by-step instructions.

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

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Latest articles (March 3rd 2013)

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:

Visual impairment: An interview

In this article, a TeenHelp user shares her story of living with a vision impairment. The question-answer format provides a clear route to understanding the basics of living with low or no vision, including dispelling some widely-believed myths, and the personal touch helps to emphasise the overarching message: you are not alone.

Child sexual abuse prevention

This is an issue which people may not know about, and which fewer people are willing to talk about. What is ‘bad touch’ and ‘good touch’? What are the signs that an adult might be abusing a child? How can you help a child who is being abused? These are just some of the topics addressed in this informative article.

Understanding non-binary gender

While many people think of gender as synonymous with sex (i.e. a binary system of male or female), this is not the case. This article explores the complicated issue of gender and explains some of the different ways in which people may express their gender identity.

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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OCD-UK

OCD-UK is a national charity that aims to raise awareness about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and to support those who suffer in silence from this often debilitating disorder. Although based in the United Kingdom, the website is accessible by all, and contains a plethora of helpful material including articles on understanding OCD and its treatment, self-help strategies, and information for family and friends. There is also a section where people can read and submit success stories and creative work. This is a great resource for those wanting to recover from OCD, and for those seeking help for a loved one.

http://www.ocduk.org

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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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Finding a study method to suit you

There are many different ways to study, and it can be very helpful to figure out which way is most suitable for you – but where do you start?

• Think about how you best absorb information. In class, do you understand concepts better if they are explained using mind-maps or diagrams, or is prose or list form sufficient? Some people learn better if they have such visual aids - if this is you, you may be a ‘visual learner’. Try drawing flowcharts, mind-maps, and pictures to help you study.
• Consider how you prefer to receive information. For example, do you find it easier if you read the information for yourself, or if you hear someone else reading it to you? If it is the latter, you may be an ‘auditory learner’. In this case, helpful study methods can include listening to lectures/podcasts, watching videos (some good educational videos can, believe it or not, be found on YouTube), or even recording yourself saying the information and playing it back later.
• Decide whether you work better alone or in groups. Some people find it helpful to study in groups because you can discuss ideas, have debates, and benefit from both teaching and being taught (both of which will help you learn). If this is you, think about getting together with a group of peers on a regular basis (not just the night before the exam!). If you prefer to study alone, then just focus on your information and studying techniques. If you are not sure which type you are, or if you like both methods, then you can supplement your individual study with group study sessions for maximum effect.
• Some people find that being creative can help with studying. If this sounds like you, you could invent educational games or quizzes to play with your friends, make up or learn songs that relate to your course material, or even just decorate your course notes to make them more appealing.
• Overall, just experiment with different styles and techniques until you find what works best for you. It may be one of the above methods, a combination of them, or something completely different. The important thing is that if it works for you, keep at it!

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f22-education-careers/

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How to de-clutter your bedroom

The bedroom is the place where you start and end your day, and it is one of the first areas that you should consider looking at, if you want to start living in a stress-free zone. Spring is the perfect time to de-clutter your bedroom, and here are some tips on how you can achieve this.

• Begin by removing any visible items that do not belong in the bedroom; for example, used mugs, dirty clothes, and any reminders of work. The bedroom should not be used as a general storage place.
• Empty the contents of a closet or drawer and sort the items into two piles - what you want to keep, and what you want to get rid of.
• Discard any unwanted items. If you need help with deciding what to throw out (or, of course, if they are in good condition, consider donating the items to charity), ask yourself questions such as, "When was the last time I used it?"; "Do I still like it?"; "Will it serve more than one purpose?"
• Clean all surfaces and organise items before returning them to their correct storage place. For example, with clothes, keep winter outfits in a separate location to summer outfits. Perhaps invest in some drawer organisers, so that smaller items such as stationery can be kept in order.
• Start getting into the routine of making your bed every day, and create a weekly schedule to vacuum clean and dust the room. Make a habit of returning items to the correct place after use, so it does not accumulate and clutter your room again.

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

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Choosing a sport to take part in

When you make the choice to become more active or to get fit, a logical step is to start looking into joining a sport. However, with the wide array of sports out there to participate in, it can be confusing – so here are some tips on how to choose a sport for you!

• Decide whether you want to do an individual sport (for example, golf or archery), a team sport (such as basketball or hockey), or one that could be either (like swimming, which is individual except for relays, or tennis, which you can play by yourself or in pairs). There are advantages to both types, so think about what you are looking for – do you want to make friends, or just compete?
• Figure out how seriously you want to play. Many clubs and groups have different levels or competitions for those of varying ability, interests, and intents – some people may want to compete at state or national levels while others only play for the fun of it. Determine whether you want to play for fun or for competition – if you start out as one, you can always change to the other at a later date (say if you start playing for fun and realise you are quite good at the sport, you could work your way up to competition level).
• Consider whether you want your sport to have real-world effects. Some sports may help you increase your fitness, flexibility, or strength, but other sports can directly be applied to your ‘outside’ life – such as archery (if you wanted to take up hunting), or martial arts (which can be useful for self-defence). Do you want to play the sport just for the sake of it, or do you want to gain something specific from it?
• Look around. Most schools, colleges, and universities have sporting teams and clubs you can join, and there are always sports clubs and competitions going on in the community. You never know what is on offer until you investigate a bit – you could end up playing something as well-known as football, or something as obscure as quidditch. So find out what’s on in your area, and get involved!

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f220-sports/

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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 you thinking right now?
It is good to express yourself and clear your thoughts. So, what are you thinking right now? Go ahead and share your thoughts with other users here.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f35-g...ing-right-now/

Suicide awareness poem
A TeenHelp user writes inspirational poetry to raise awareness about mental health issues, and to help those who are suffering. For more information, take a look at this thread.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f11-d...wareness-poem/

World's best brownies
If you fancy indulging in something sweet, check out this thread for a brownie recipe. It has been tried and tested, and it is absolutely delicious!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f184-...best-brownies/

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Blogs

I finally did it, and it actually feels amazing
Figuring out who you are is one thing, but to show the 'real you' to the rest of the world is another. It can be very healing and rewarding. This user talks about how it felt to show her true self.
http://www.teenhelp.org/blogs/helloc...feels-amazing/

Big dreams
As humans, we often dream, and sometimes we dream big! This user talks about dreams and goal setting. What are your dreams, and how will you achieve them?
http://www.teenhelp.org/blogs/lexi+m...04-big-dreams/

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Albums

Inspiring pictures
We all need inspiration from time to time, especially when we are feeling depressed or defeated. Check out this album for some inspiration.
http://www.teenhelp.org/albums/chris...ring+pictures/

Random pictures
People often document their lives in different ways. Some people track it in a journal, while others take pictures. There are multiple forms of self-expression. See how this user expressed herself through pictures.
http://www.teenhelp.org/albums/mogge...ndom+pictures/

Photo class
They say that photography and drawing can be therapeutic. It is also a great hobby to take part in. Check out this album for some pictures!
http://www.teenhelp.org/albums/ninja...7-photo+class/

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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: Disabilities (Saturday March 23rd 2013)

A disability can be physical, mental, sensory, emotional, or developmental and can affect any age or gender. Join this discussion to learn how to turn coping with a disability into a manageable experience, and for answers about any disability related questions you may have.

Discussion: Building positive relationships (Saturday March 30th 2013)

Relationships between family members, friends and significant others each come with their own difficulties, but knowing how to overcome the obstructions to your relationships is essential if they are to be fulfilling for you. Join this discussion to look at how to build positive relationships with those you care about.

Discussion: Eating disorders (Saturday April 6th 2013)

Eating disorders can affect anyone at any time, can be devastating for your physical and mental health. Join our discussion to discuss the different kinds of eating disorders and to find out what we can do to ensure that we are free from eating disorders, and carry on with our everyday lives.

Discussion: Maximising your productivity (Saturday April 13th 2013)

Whether you are in school, university or the world of work, maintaining your productivity is an essential part of life. Join this discussion to learn how to stay focused, plan your workload effectively and fight off the temptation of procrastination.

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, Twitter and Tumblr

Our social networking 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
Tumblr: http://www.teenhelp.org/tumblr

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Editorial team

Newsletter Officer/Editor-in-Chief: Haley (Halcyon)
Assistant Editor: Chess (Celestial.)
Assistant Editor: Lyndsee (City Lights.)
Assistant Editor: Sammi (Masquerade.)
Assistant Editor: Rianna (Starlight.)

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