Newsletter #44 - Creating new resources; helping a loved one with cancer; going beyond your comfort zone.

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TeenHelp Newsletter

TeenHelp Newsletter #44 - November 18th 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 News

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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Building new resources for the TeenHelp community (November 4th 2013)

We are pleased to have recently appointed Chris (Chris.) to the new role of Resources Officer. This role has been created to develop a wide range of resources to help everybody who visits TeenHelp, including videos, publications and other sources of support. This role will enable us to expand the resources that we have on offer, make sure information is accessible to everybody and fill gaps in the information we currently have. Chris is a long-term member of TeenHelp's volunteer Staff already, and this new role will allow him to continue contributing to TeenHelp in new ways. Congratulations, Chris!

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

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Latest videos (November 13th 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:

Preparing for exams and papers

Exams and papers can be a very daunting thing to approach throughout your educational career. This video provides valid tips and ideas to better approach your exams and papers.

How bad do you want it?

We all have moments in which we lack the motivation to accomplish something in our life. This video provides a motivational speech that may inspire you to think in a new way and push yourself to accomplish those hard tasks in your life.

Ten top time-saving tech tips

Have you ever felt that some simple things take way too long, or that you could find a better way to resolve a basic issue when it comes to technology? This video shows 10 time saving tips, which can also provide you with beneficial resolutions to issues.

How to heal your relationship with your cheating partner

Staying in a relationship after a tragic event like one party being unfaithful to the other is not an easy process. This video gives you important insight of how you should start healing that relationship so that you and your partner can continue to grow as a couple.

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

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Latest articles (November 5th 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:

Supporting a loved one with cancer

It is never easy to see a loved one struggling, especially with something as serious as cancer. However, there are ways to make it easier on both yourself and on them. This article discusses some of these ways, as well as explaining what cancer is, and how it can affect both you and your loved one.

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

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Affiliates

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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Free To Be Me

Free To Be Me is a site for people who think they are or could be LGBT. They help young people to understand their feelings and to make the choices that are right for them. In particular they focus on people whose feelings might conflict with their beliefs - such as religion - and how to constructively deal with the dilemma this causes. They strongly believe that everybody should be able to explore their own identity and make the choices for themselves, rather than having labels pushed upon them by others.

http://www.freetobeme.com/

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Tips Of The Month

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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Stepping out of your comfort zone

Imagine a life in which you can actually do the things you have always wished that you could do. Imagine not being confined by your comfort zone. Now follow these tips to get you one step closer to that goal.

• Change your way of thinking to something more constructive. Rather than thinking of your comfort zone as a safe place, think about how much it is holding you back. Think of all the possibilities that would arise from stepping out of your comfort zone. Think about what you would do if you were not held back by this comfort zone that is sheltering you from the world beyond those boundaries. Write down the things that you have always wanted to do, and set yourself small personal goals.
• Face your fears. List all your fears, then tackle them one step at a time. For example, if you are trying to overcome a fear of social situations, rather than throw yourself out there (that can be overwhelming) try and take a gradual approach. Arrange to meet a friend regularly, then slowly expand your circle.
• Bring a friend along for moral support when venturing into new situations. It is often easier to do something when you don't have to face it alone.
• Experience something new, or try something unusual. Maybe eat at a different restaurant and pick something you wouldn't normally eat. If you normally take one route to school or work, find a different way to get there and explore the area. Read a book written by a different author. The possibilities are endless.
• Meet new people, perhaps at a club or venue that you have not considered before, as this will introduce you to new points of views, interests and experiences.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f3-general/

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Protecting your mobile phone

As mobile or cell phones are increasingly becoming more sophisticated and multifunctional, they are also more liable to theft. Follow these tips to keep your phone secure and to make recovering it a little easier in the event that it is stolen or misplaced.

• Use an ultra violet or invisible marking pen to write your house number/name and postcode on your phone handset and battery.
• Make a note of your phone's unique 15-digit serial number (IMEI number) and store it in safe place. Entering *#60# into your phone will display the IMEI number, which should work on most phones. Consider adding details of your phone to an online property database (for example, www.immobilise.com in the UK).
• If you have a smartphone, install a reputable tracker app, as this will help you to find your phone if it is lost or stolen. Find out what other people are using or read reviews to help you decide which one to use.
• Password protect, or use the security lock/PIN code feature on your phone, as this will prevent thieves from accessing your personal information.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Never leave your phone unattended or in plain sight, and avoid using your phone in crowds, or in places where you feel unsafe.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f24-technology-gaming/

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Interesting Things (on TeenHelp)

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

Good deed for Halloween
In this thread one user tells how instead of collecting candy this Hallowe'en they instead collected canned food to help people in need. It's not too late any time during the year to spend a bit of time reaching out to those less fortunate than ourselves.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f29-g...eed-halloween/

University strike action
This thread discusses what should happen when lecturers go on strike - Should students be entitled to have the lecture scheduled again, to receive a partial refund of their fees or some other compensation?
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f22-e...strike-action/

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Social Groups

Sports and depression: How it effects athletes
If you are a sporty person, but find that suffering from depression stops you from enjoying sports, join this group to help you revive that love of sports, as well as meet like-minded people.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...ects+athletes/

#ForeverAlone
Although it has negative connotations, being alone is not always a bad thing. There are more opportunities for you to pursue the things that you have always wanted to do, without being held back. Join this group to celebrate being alone, and to meet others alike.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...3foreveralone/

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Albums

Art work
In this album one user shares a number of brilliant drawings and paintings she has created herself, from portraits to flowers and a mural.
http://www.teenhelp.org/albums/adali...3176-art+work/

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Picture Of The Month

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: Dealing with triggers (Saturday November 23rd 2013)

Triggers are anything that reminds you of negative feelings or makes you want to perform unhealthy or dangerous behaviours. Often these are unavoidable parts of life and are tough to deal with on your own. This discussion will help you learn to control any urges the triggers may cause and how to prevent them from affecting you.

Discussion: Combating anxiety (Saturday November 30th 2013)

Anxiety can manifest itself in many different ways, from acute phobias to complicated patterns of debilitating fear. This discussion will help you to share and develop coping mechanisms, combat your fears and learn to help others living with anxiety.

Discussion: Building positive relationships (Saturday December 7th 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: Death and grieving (Saturday December 14th 2013)

Death can be one of the toughest struggles to overcome. If you know someone who has passed away, and need help with moving on, join this discussion to learn more and help others with the same difficulties. Also, if you have lost loved ones to suicide, this discussion will help you start the healing process as a survivor.

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: Lyndsee (Glitter.)
Assistant Editor: Sammi (Masquerade.)
Assistant Editor: Chess (Syzygy.)

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