Newsletter #95 - Coping with the flu; combating over spending; deciding whether or not to come out.

TeenHelp Newsletter #95 - February 19th 2018 - 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, new resources, 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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Latest articles (February 3rd 2018)

Review of Dystopia by Megadeth
Megadeth's new album, Dystopia, is a thrash metal album that gives listeners something to rock their head to. Read this user's review of the music here.

Healing from an abusive relationship
While leaving an abusive relationship is a cathartic experience, it can be difficult to heal from the abuse that has been experienced. This article aims to provide tips to help you heal if you've been in an abusive relationship.

Myelomeningocele
Myelomeningocele, a common form of Spina Bifida, occurs when the fetus' spine isn't fully developed. Read this article to learn more about Myelomeningocele.

My Brother's Husband: A Review
My Brother's Husband is a manga series written and illustrated by Gengoroh Tagame. This series explores a lot of myths and misconceptions people in the LGBTQ+ community face. Read on to learn more about this series.

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

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New Alternatives and Coping Methods resource (January 25th 2018)

The Resource Editor team have updated and expanded the "Alternatives" thread list to bring you the Alternatives and Coping Methods resource, which lists hundreds of different ideas to help you get through difficult periods in your life. Whether that difficulty is the urge to self harm, anger, sadness, a panic attack or addiction, this resource can help you to cope with it.

The page is split into several different categories, so whether you're at the start of your journey, a little further along or in full recovery mode there's plenty of ideas to help you.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f2-an...oping-methods/

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Resources

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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The Emergency Contraception Website

The Emergency Contraception Website, founded in 1994, helps to provide valuable emergency contraceptive information, such as how it works, its correct use, effectiveness, possible side effects, and where to get it from. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions page, with an opportunity to ask your own question, and a database of emergency contraceptive pills available in different countries. This is a useful resource for anyone thinking about having sex for the first time and those who are sexually active but not ready to become a parent yet.

http://ec.princeton.edu/

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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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What to do if you have the flu

The flu is a very contagious virus that attacks the respiratory system and can leave you feeling very sick. Due to differing information, it can be difficult to know which approach is best. Read on to learn what steps you can take if you have come down with the flu.

• Know the difference between a cold and the flu. While a cold and the flu have some symptoms in common, such as congestion, coughing, or a sore throat, those of a cold are much milder and come on more slowly. Flu symptoms come on much more quickly and you are more likely to experience chills, severe body aches, or a dry cough. You are also likely to have a fever with the flu, but this is uncommon for a cold. With a cold, you are more likely to have a stuffy nose, sneezing, a sore throat, or a cough that produces mucous.
• Stay home. As with any other illness, it is important to stay home to rest and get plenty of fluids. While you may want to go to work or school, the flu is highly contagious and more serious than a cold, and you risk passing it on to others. Going to work or school might also make you feel worse in the long run. It is suggested that you wait until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours before you return to school and work. If you must leave your house for any reason, such as to pick up medicine, wear a mask to prevent infecting others and be sure to wash your hands regularly.
• Take medicine. If your doctor suspects you have the flu, they can prescribe an antiviral such as Tamiflu. While antivirals do not cure the flu, they can reduce your symptoms and the length of your illness. You can also talk to your pharmacist about over the counter medications you can use to relieve other symptoms such as a fever or aches. Make sure you follow any instructions given by a pharmacist or doctor carefully to reduce the risk of complications.
• Know when to seek medical attention. Under most circumstances, the flu can be treated at home and will normally go away within one to two weeks. However, you should seek medical attention if you experience any of the following: shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, dehydration, severe confusion, severe vomiting, a high fever that does not break, or if you have other medical conditions that will make your symptoms worse. Also seek medical attention if your symptoms seem to go away and suddenly return. This may mean you have a secondary infection.

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

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Combating over spending as a coping mechanism

Over spending or impulsive buying can be done as a way to help you feel better, or to bring a temporary high into your life when you receive the items you're buying. Read on to learn about how to help yourself if you struggle with over spending.

• Make a budget and stick to it. Sometimes, budgeting your money and seeing the exact amount can be helpful. Give yourself a certain amount of spending money each month (or paycheck) and try to stick to it as best as you can.
• Plan what you want or need to buy. Planning what you want to purchase, whether online or in a physical store, can make a world of difference. This can keep you from wandering around which may happen if you don't know what you need to buy. One way to plan what you need to buy is making a shopping list.
• Disable one-click purchasing. Some websites such as Amazon have an option that allows you to purchase items in one click. Disable that feature to help your decision making when you feel tempted to buy something you may not need or have the money for.
• Wait it out. Put your items in the cart and wait it out for a while. If you still feel like purchasing it, go for it. Often times, however, the urge to buy the item will pass and you can put it back on the shelf.
• Distinguish between wants and needs. When looking at an item, ask yourself if you need it or just want it. If you need it, purchase it. If you want it, determine whether or not you have enough spending money left to purchase it.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f256-finances/

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Should I come out?

One of the most difficult parts of the coming out process is often figuring out the best time to do it. You may even find yourself finding excuses not to do it at a given time, simply because of how daunting it seems. Read on for some questions you can ask yourself to help you determine if now is the right time for you to come out.

• Have I accepted my identity? One of the most important aspects of coming out is ensuring that you are secure in your sexuality and/or gender identity. Coming to terms with who you are happens at different times for everyone, so it's completely okay if you're still struggling with that. However, confidence works wonders when coming out. Making sure that you're in a good place when it comes to your identity will make the entire process a little bit less scary. Keep in mind that the identity you come out with does not have to be the one that you maintain for the rest of your life. Sexuality and gender identity each have a spectrum and fluidity is a normal experience. It's totally fine if you come out as one thing on the spectrum and realize later in life that you actually identify more with a different label. Don't let those worries stress you out. The most important thing to consider when coming out is how comfortable you are with the label you identify with at the time, without taking the potential for change into account.
• Am I comfortable with others knowing? It may seem like an obvious question, but take a second to step back and think about whether or not you're ready to let others in to this part of who you are. It may be an immediate yes, which is great! If you're a little bit hesitant, that's also a perfectly normal response. Take some time to think about what may be holding you back from being completely okay with sharing your identity with others and focus on working through those things. When you decide to come out, it should be something you're 100% ready to do.
• Will coming out put my safety at risk? While you may be eager to come out, it's imperative that you consider your overall safety. While some negative responses stop at words (or wordless actions, such as intentionally ignoring someone), there are some cases in which an individual may resort to violence or kicking you out of your home. Not only is this hurtful, it can put your physical safety at risk. If you think there is even the slightest chance of this happening, particularly in your living situation, it's best to wait to come out until you have a plan to get yourself to safety if things go poorly or get yourself to a safe place ahead of time. Remember, coming out is never worth putting your overall well-being on the line.
• Will it be harmful to me if I get a negative response? As unfortunate as it is, there is always a chance that a loved one will respond negatively to you coming out. When this happens, it can be extremely hurtful. While it may be difficult to do, it's important to think about the way a negative response might impact you. Will it set you back in your journey? Is there a chance that it may lead to you feeling alone or make you doubt yourself? If you're not sure that the answers to both of those questions is "no", it might be best to give yourself a little more time.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f8-lg...nder-identity/

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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

Labels
Determining what labels best fit your sexuality and gender identity can be a process that takes time. While you are figuring out your identity, it is possible that your labels will change. This thread allows you to discuss what labels you have used.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f8-lg...154709-labels/

CS:GO
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (GS:GO) is a competitive first-person shooter game. Check out this thread to talk about your favourite parts of the game and find other people to play with.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f24-t...t154687-cs-go/

Haircuts for thin hair?
Different hairstyles work better for different types of hair and it can be hard to find a style that works for you. This thread is a great place to suggest hairstyles for someone with thin hair.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f26-h...uts-thin-hair/

Coconut
Many people enjoy the flavour of coconut but may have a difficult time finding recipes containing it. Come here to share coconut-related recipes with others, and to learn new recipes involving this delicious ingredient.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f184-...54810-coconut/

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Social groups

Books
Are you an avid reader? Come join others in conversation about authors you enjoy and recommend books to one another.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups/g553-books/

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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 publications@teenhelp.org, or messaging our Newsletter Officer (Narrative.) on the website.


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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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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!

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Editorial team

Publications Team Leader/Editor-in-Chief: Haley (Halcyon)
Newsletter Officer: Chess (Narrative.)
Senior Newsletter Editor: Cassie (cynefin)
Newsletter Editor: Chantal (MsNobleEleanor)
Newsletter Editor: Dez (Onism.)
Newsletter Editor: Jenna (~Abibliophobe~)
Newsletter Editor: Sammi (Orenda.)

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