Newsletter #55 - New Staff awards; strategies for choosing a college major; the benefits of volunteering

TeenHelp Newsletter

TeenHelp Newsletter #55 - October 23rd 2014 - 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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Staff outstanding contribution awards (October 12th 2014)

A set of outstanding contribution awards has been introduced to acknowledge and celebrate those who go that little bit further in making TeenHelp a great place. The awards will be issued every three months, and you will be able to nominate and submit feedback about staff members.

This month, the awards go to:

Chess ( *~Skittles Martinski~* ) - Outstanding contribution to supporting and encouraging others. Chess is well known for being very friendly to everybody around the site. I'm sure all staff fondly remember and look forward to receiving their messages on her “Staff Compliment Day”. Each year she always takes the time to send nice messages to each and every Staff member even those she doesn't know that well. For several years she has also co-ordinated the large Articles Team, involving and supporting many Staff and users alike in writing articles.

Dez ( *~Skittlify~* ) - Outstanding contribution beyond main duties. Dez is very active in her official roles on TeenHelp, but incredibly she also manages to work really hard in areas that she doesn't need to be active in. She replies to almost every HelpLINK request despite not even being a Mentor and it is hard to imagine HelpLINK surviving without her. Her quality of advice is fantastic and she is both caring and knowledgeable in her replies.

Jenna (.:BreakingBeautifully:.) - Outstanding contribution for consistent effort. Jenna has been on Staff for over five years and has been consistently hard working during that time. She has contributed significantly to HelpLINK, where she has been a Mentor throughout her time on Staff. But she has also contributed significantly to ensuring threads in the Forums are answered, moderating and writing articles too. Her contribution to TeenHelp would be sorely missed.

Sarah (Rivière) – Outstanding contribution to the Support Forums. Sarah posts regularly in the Support Forums giving fantastic detailed advice. She is always on hand to answer questions, often those that others haven't answered yet. She ensures that everybody feels listened to and supported, which is great to see.

http://www.teenhelp.org/volunteer/

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Latest articles (October 6th 2014)

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:

Choosing the right college major

When it comes to choosing college majors, it can be a time-consuming task deciding what you want to do with the rest of your life. This article talks about possible strategies for choosing the major that is the most appropriate for you.

Getting started with volunteering

Volunteering is a great extra-curricular activity with many benefits. This article talks about the many different types of volunteering activities one can pursue in a local community.

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

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New Communications Officer (October 4th 2014)

TeenHelp is pleased to have recently appointed a new Communications Officer. Louise (LlamaLlamaDuck), an existing Staff member with a wealth of experience, will be responsible for maintaining regular communications including announcements and spotlights, supporting our social networking pages, and partnership and affiliate development. Congratulations, Louise! We wish you all the best in your new position.

http://www.teenhelp.org/volunteer/

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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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Dictionary.com mobile application

The Dictionary.com mobile application provides both an extensive dictionary and thesaurus. Once downloaded, it can be used offline to browse over 2,000,000 definitions, synonyms and antonyms without distracting advertisements. It features a voice-activated search, a Word of the Day widget, and word origins and history. The application is considered suitable for people aged 12 and over, and is very user friendly.

Available for free on Apple, Android and Blackberry devices through their application stores.

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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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Volunteering and its benefits

Donating time and energy to help a person or a cause is a very rewarding experience. At first, volunteering might seem daunting or too difficult, but there are many reasons to consider it.

• Helping others: Volunteering gives a sense of accomplishment and pride. Doing things for the benefit of others adds purpose to your life and can brighten your mood, while also benefiting those in need.
• Meeting new people: By working around others, you can meet many diverse people brought together by similar goals or interests. Volunteering is a great way to make friends who enjoy similar things and to make connections in the business world.
• Learning new things: Volunteering gives you new experiences and knowledge. The things that you learn while donating your time can be applied to different areas of your life and can be used in the future. Volunteering is also a good way to get experience in a workplace, aiding to your ability to get jobs in later on.
• Exploring things you are passionate about: There are many options when it comes to where to volunteer. By applying to volunteer for organisations that you are interested in, you can explore your passions and develop your skills in areas you want to grow in. You might even find that you enjoy something new and unexpected, so don't be afraid to try out different areas of volunteering to find what best suits you.

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

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How to stop smoking

In some places, October is also known as Stoptober, a campaign to stop smoking for the whole month of October. The idea is that if you stop for 28 days, you are more likely to stop for good. If you have been thinking about stopping smoking, but have been putting it off, why not have a go now? Here are some tips to get you started.

• Before you quit smoking, monitor your craving patterns and triggers, and try to identify why it happens. Write down your reasons for quitting, and a list of activities that you could do to distract yourself if you do have a craving.
• Consider why you smoke in the first place. If it's to relieve stress, seek out a different way to alleviate it, such as going for a run or listening to music. If you are more a of social smoker, suggest outings where you cannot smoke, for example, going to the cinema or a restaurant.
• Find a friend who also wants to stop smoking, as it is often easier to do something when you don't have to face it alone. Let your family and friends know so that they can encourage and support you.
• Work out how much money you could save if you didn't buy cigarettes for a whole month, and consider what it would amount to for a whole year. Plan what you could spend that money on, so you have something to look forward to.
• Change your routine. If you tend to have a cigarette after work, or after a meal, replace that time spent with a small project.
• Track your progress. There are mobile applications that are designed to motivate you and to show you how much you are saving. Alternatively, use a calendar and tick off the days. Then, reward yourself after every smoke-free week.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f16-general-health/

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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

What level of education does your dream job require?
What is your dream job, and what qualifications do you need for it? See what others are aiming for here.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f22-e...m-job-require/

Cheesecake
Do you like cheesecake? If so, what's your favourite type? If you have the recipe, share that here too!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f184-...32-cheesecake/

Best TeenHelp memories
TeenHelp has been around for over 16 years. Even if you are a fairly new member, why not stop by and share you best memory so far?
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f3-ge...help-memories/

Taking care of yourself
It can be very difficult to look take care of yourself when you are suffering from depression or other mental health problems. Read some good advice from a user here, and maybe post some of your own, too.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f16-g...care-yourself/

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Albums

Be positive!
This user has posted some of their favourite quotes. Some of them are quite motivational, so check it out if you want to be inspired.
http://www.teenhelp.org/albums/clam%...-+positive%21/

Backyard
Storms are a powerful force of nature. This user captured some very atmospheric photographs of the clouds after a storm.
http://www.teenhelp.org/albums/ashen/a3344-backyard/

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Social Groups

For those who like Youtubers
Youtubers are continually becoming more popular around the Internet. Join this group to discuss your favourites, talk about videos you enjoy, and to meet others who also like Youtubers.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...%26%239829%3B/

Martial Arts
Martial Arts include many styles of combat originating from different areas. These different forms can be considered a sport, as they are fun and are a good way to stay in shape, but they also teach discipline and self-defence. Join this group to talk to others who participate in martial arts about different styles and experiences participating in them.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...rtial+arts%3F/

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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: Being assertive (Saturday October 25th 2014)

Being too passive or too aggressive can lead to problems in your relationships with other people, causing trouble at work, with friends, and even at home. However, becoming assertive in your behaviours and actions can help alleviate these issues, allowing you to express your needs and thoughts while respecting others. Join this discussion to explore ways to become more assertive, learn its benefits, and share your experiences.

Discussion: Facing the challenges of growing up (Saturday November 1st 2014)

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: Developing good sleeping habits (Saturday November 8th 2014)

It can be difficult to get enough rest on a regular basis. However, an appropriate amount of sleep is necessary to live a healthy lifestyle; getting too little or too much can be detrimental to your overall health. Join this discussion to share the struggles you face when trying to develop good habits and how you overcome them.

Discussion: Building confidence and self-esteem (Saturday November 15th 2014)

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, 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)
Senior Newsletter Editor: Chris (Chris)
Newsletter Editor: Jenna (Lucent.)
Newsletter Editor: Chess (*~Skittles Martinski~* )
Newsletter Editor: Rishy (Saiyouri)

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