Newsletter #101 - Adjusting to high school; how to drive safely in the rain; staying safe during summer.

TeenHelp Newsletter

TeenHelp Newsletter #101 - August 18th 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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TeenHelp Summer Awards (July 29th 2018)

TeenHelp is pleased to announce its Summer Awards. These awards recognize volunteers who have made a significant impact and go above and beyond their roles. The Summer Awards go to:

• Frankie (Aca-awkward) - Frankie is an active member of Staff who is very friendly and helpful around the site. She truly does care about the users on TeenHelp and is always willing to go the extra mile. She is keen to learn and improve and as one nomination said "she's really evolved into a great Staff member".
• Dez (Melancholia.) - Dez has been one of the most active Staff members for many years and works throughout the site in many roles. Dez has shown true dedication, from supporting Newsletter and Articles, to helping users with encouraging advice and support. In the words of one nomination Dez is "such an inspiring and caring individual" and it is only fitting she receives this award.
• S.Z. (~Radio Flyer~) - S.Z. contributes a lot of great advice around the site. They are always there to try and help people and encourage them with kind words, offering thoughtful and caring replies. Their dedication, kindness and patience are amazing assets to TeenHelp and we hope they will continue to grow here.
• Crystal (Svisttt) - Crystal is very friendly and provides comfort and reassurance to those struggling with a range of topics including self harm, depression and suicide. Crystal is very encouraging when she posts and also provides sound advice. She has a creative way when it comes to dealing with mental health including her idea of making 'happy boxes'.

Congratulations to everyone who has received an award!

We are thankful for the effort all our volunteers put in to creating a safe and supportive atmosphere. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, check out the Volunteer page to learn more.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f2-an...summer-awards/

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TeenHelp Inspiration Awards (July 21st 2018)

TeenHelp is happy to announce its first set of Inspiration Awards to recognize individuals who have touched the lives of others on the site and who provide inspiration through their courage, kindness, and support. The Inspiration Awards go to:

• DanceCommander - Jordan has been a dedicated and active member for many years. She is kind while also being honest. She deals with a lot in her every day life but that never seems to prevent her from being kind or trying to be supportive to our users.
• Jess~ - Jess is always posting around the site and giving thorough advice. She is honest in what she thinks and feels and her advice has helped loads of users throughout the years.
• Kate* - Kate has been on TeenHelp for many years and actively contributes to the site. When she replies to threads she gives a lot of great insight and works hard to uplift other users even when she is struggling herself.
• Latte - Latte is very new to TeenHelp, however has already made a mark. Their replies are very down to earth, honest and give good advice. We hope she will stick around for a long time!

Congratulations to everybody who has received an award!

We are appreciative of everyone who takes part in making TeenHelp such a wonderful place.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f2-an...ration-awards/

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New Newsletter Officer (July 21st 2018)

TeenHelp is pleased to welcome Jenna (.:Bibliophile:.) as our new Newsletter Officer. Jenna has been a member of Staff for several years, holding a variety of roles, including Newsletter Editor, and has a wealth of experience around the site. She will be responsible for the day to day running of the Newsletter team and we wish her all the best in her new role, congratulations!

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

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Latest articles (August 3rd 2018)

Debunking the myths of the Gardasil 9 vaccime
The Gardasil 9 vaccine helps protect against HPV-related cancers and genital warts. However, there are myths surrounding the vaccine that make people hesitant to get it. This article debunks some of these myths.

Once Upon a Book Club: A book subscription review
Once Upon a Book Club is a book subscription box and virtual book club that gives gifts to subscribers based on passages in the books. In this article, one user describes their experience with this subscription box.

Children of Blood and Bone: A review
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyami is about a world where magic disappears. The main character, Zelie Adebola, can bring the magic back. Read this article to determine if this is a book you would like to read.

Closet organization tips
It can be difficult to keep your closet organized, especially when you are in a rush. This article describes ways to keep your closet looking clean, make the most out of your space, and store specific items.

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

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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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Scope

Scope offers support, information, and advice to over a quarter of a million disabled people in the United Kingdom. Scope focuses on equality so that disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else while also raising awareness.

https://www.scope.org.uk

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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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Adjusting to high school

High school can be quite difficult for most people. There are a lot of adjustments that you have to go through. This tip will highlight some things you can do to try and adjust to high school and get the best out of your time there.

• Don't hesitate to talk to your teachers. Sometimes the thought of reaching out to teachers and asking for help with things like homework and bullying can be intimidating. However, teachers are there to help and if you reach out to them you might find that you gain an ally. Not all teachers will be helpful but if your instinct tells you that you could talk to them or ask for help, don't hesitate to give it a try.
• Don't let others intimidate you. While in high school you might find that your peers try and intimidate you or make you feel like you are less than them. Don't listen to them and continue being you. You are your own unique self and you should never change for anyone else.
• Take you time. You may be stressed out with homework, extracurricular activities and interacting with your peers. Don't forget to try and take time to do things you enjoy such as hanging out with friends or going to see a movie.
• Learn to prioritize. High school is going to be full of a lot of different assignments and tasks that you need to get done. The sooner you learn how to prioritize, the easier you will find completing all your tasks will be. You will still face stress but you might find that you aren't as stressed out.
• Don't be afraid to get involved. High school is a great time to explore your interests and expand your horizons while also making friends who enjoy the same things. So, if there is a club or activity you're interested in, don't be afraid to try it out.

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

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Driving safely in the rain

While driving in the rain seems like a simple task, it can sometimes be difficult or even dangerous. Here are a few ways to help you get to your destination safely.

• Put your headlights on. It is important to keep your lights on. While you may be able to see perfectly fine, putting your lights on ensures that other drivers can see you. Some areas have a "wipers on, lights on" law, which means that your headlights need to be on if it is raining hard enough to use your windshield wipers. Even though it isn't a law in every area, it is a good concept to follow.
• Slow down and give yourself more time to brake. Remember that speed limits are weather permitting. If you do not feel it is safe or appropriate to go to the posted speed, then slow down. Trust your instinct. If other drivers do not like your speed, they are free to change lanes and pass you. It can be harder to brake when the ground is wet. Start braking earlier and from a longer distance. You can also take your foot off the gas pedal to slow the car down before you hit the brakes.
• Avoid puddles whenever possible. Some of the most innocent looking puddles can be deeper than you anticipated and may cause you to hydroplane. If you cannot avoid a puddle, slow down to go through it or turn around and find an alternate route if you think the puddle is too deep.
• Give yourself more time to get to your destination. The rain can change traffic and driving patterns, cause accidents, or even make the ground difficult to drive on. Leave a bit earlier than you usually would so you can take your time.
• Pull over if necessary. If it is raining too hard and you do not feel safe or you cannot see, pull over. Your safety should come first and you can always continue driving when the rain subsides.

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

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Staying safe during the summer

The summer can be a really difficult time due to the heat. This tip will help you figure out some ways to stay safe and cool during the summer months.

• Drink plenty of water. With the weather being hot, you might find that you sweat a lot. By drinking water, you will be able to keep yourself hydrated so you don't cause yourself to over-heat, or become dehydrated. If you are extremely hot, take small sips from a freezing cold drink; don't down it, no matter how hot or thirsty you are, as this could cause your body to go into shock, thinking you're getting hypothermia, and can cause damage.
• Dress 'cool'.Try not to dress in dark clothing, as this will absorb the heat and make you feel hotter. Wear white, so the sun will reflect, and you can feel cooler. Even wearing shorts and short-sleeved clothing can help, especially baggy shirts, as it allows more air to flow through.
• Take a cold shower or bath. If you are someone who does not have access to a pool you could try taking a cold shower or bath to cool down a bit. Alternatively you could try to see if there are any community pools that you can utilize.
• Protect yourself from the sun. With nice weather comes trips to the beach and time spent in the garden. Always put sunscreen on, at least SPF 15, and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, as well as a hat to shade your face. Even if you're in your garden, lying in the shade will keep the sun off you while you enjoy the heat. Have fun, and stay safe in the sun and heat!

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

Lack of self-care
Do you struggle with self-care? This user explains their experience and shares how challenging it is for them. Do you have any helpful tips for managing self-care?
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f11-d...ack-self-care/

Ice cube tray foods
This user is wondering what the best way to freeze vegetables is. Come here if you'd like to share some thoughts about freezing vegetables.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f7-pr...be-trays-food/

Altering my sleep schedule
It can be difficult to make an adjustment to your sleep schedule. Visit this thread to learn how to alter your sleep schedule and share what has worked for you.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f16-g...leep-schedule/

Quotes that help me
The user in this thread shares some quotes that have helped them. Come view the quotes that have helped the user and share quotes of your own.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f12-s...uotes-help-me/

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Social Groups

Teen Hangout~
Are you looking for a way to meet new friends? This social group allows you to talk to people and get to know other teens.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...teen+hangout~/

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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 (.:Bibliophile:.) 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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Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter

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
Instagram: http://www.teenhelp.org/instagram
Tumblr: http://www.teenhelp.org/tumblr
Twitter: http://www.teenhelp.org/twitter

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Editorial team

Publications Team Leader/Editor-in-Chief: Haley (Halcyon)
Newsletter Officer: Jenna (.:Bibliophile:.)
Senior Newsletter Editor: Cassie (cynefin)
Newsletter Editor: Chantal (MsNobleEleanor)
Newsletter Editor: Dez (Melancholia.)
Newsletter Editor: Sammi (Ambedo.)
Newsletter Tips Writer: Zara (ZaraWrites|26.6.15)

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