Teens helping Teens

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Student Leaders: We're not counselors. We listen. We care ( Just click the picture below! ) Adam On Sexual Brokeness And HomosexualityNorka New York Parents going through divorce? Need someone to vent too? Angie Someone who who understands A helper among the world. Ashlee IndianaEating disorders Frith Kentucky Ashley Feeling Sad?Need someone to talk too? Indiana Amy Going through grief? Need someone to talk too? Brandi Someone who cares and wants to help MontanaKristin New York Need to talk about self injury?Kellie Drug problems. Ontario Sarah self-harming,eating disorders,verbal abuse Texas

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Rape:

About Teens...This is the statistics Rape facts * In the United States, 1.3 women are raped every minute. That results in 78 rapes each hour, 1872 rapes each day, 56160 rapes ech month and 683,280 rapes each year.* 1 out of every 3 American women will be sexually assulted in her lifetime.* The United States has the world's highest rape rate of the countries that publish such statistics. It's 4 times higher than Germany, 13 times higher than England, and 20 times higher than Japan.* 1 in 7 women will be raped by her husband.* 83% of rape cases are ages 24 or under.* 1 in 4 college women have either been raped or suffered attempted rape.* 1 in 12 males students surveyed had commited acts that met the legal definition of rape. Furthermore, 84% of the men who had commited such acts said what they had done was definitely not rape.* 75% of male students and 55% of female students involved in acquintance rape had been drinking or using drugs.* Only 16% of rapes are ever reported to the police. Mission Statement To encourage all women to report rape should it happen to them. It is best to report rape within the first 72 hours (three days), but it is never too late to report rape. It is important to report rape for many reasons, but the two we find most important are as follows:1) Reporting rape and seeing your rapist stand trial and be put in prison could be crucial in your journey of healing.2) Since most rapists are repeat offenders, it is important to get as many as possible off the streets so more women don't endure the same trauma.If you require assistance, please contact the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1.800.656.HOPE or visit RAINN.org. Acquaintance Rape Harder to Cope With What to do if your Raped: 1) Do not immediately bathe, wash, or dispose of the clothes you wore durning the attack-your body and clothes can provide important evidence for catching and prosecuting the rapist. 2)Tell someone-the police, a doctor, a friend, or a counselor at a rape crisis center. There are rape crisis centers in every city, at most hospitals, and on most college campuses. The national rape crisis phone number is (800-656-HOPE) and they will refer you to the closest center in your area. It will feel strange to contact the center for help where you really don't know the people who will be helping you. However, the beauty of a rape crisis center is the staff and volunteers are trained to deal with these situations. They don't need personal imformation from you. They are there to help you. 3) As soon as possible, get yourself to a hospital or clinic. There you will receive the standard rape kit. You will be given the chance to talk to a counselor and told where you get the following counseling, which is highly recommended. Also, you will be offered emergency contraception and antibiotics to fight potential STDS. 4) In the weeks and months following the rape, get tested for STDS, pregnancy, and, about 6 months after the attack, HIV infection. 5) Consider continuing counseling. After going through counseling, eventually it may be useful to join a rape support group. It is common to feel a sense of alienation from people who have never been though the sort of nightmare that you have endured after a rape, so meeting with a group of other rape survivors could be useful. Always remember there is help! Just click the links below for more information:" Date Rape: Around 80% of all rapes, defined as unwanted sexual penetration, occur between people who are at least acquainted with each other. This has been defined as date rape. There are many date rape scenarios. It can happen on a first date with someone or much further along in a dating relationship, possibly even after there's already been sex. Or it can happen between friends. Date rape can be so shocking and upsetting because you knew and trusted the person and can't believe that you misjudged him or her and didn't see the signs. Alcohol is a factor in about two-thirds of all instances of date rape and sexual assault. Alcohol and other mood altering drugs can cloud judgment.They can also affect a woman or man so much that they get drunk or high to the point of unconsciousness, to consent to sex. The Date Rape drug The "Date rape drug" is a powerful sedative, 10 times more powerful then Valium, called Rohypnol, or "Roofie," for short. It is illegal in this country but legal in Europe and Latin America, so people can still get a hold of it. Rapists have known to slip these into unsuspecting women's drinks. The woman feel paralyzed, experience blurred vison, get spins, and may black out or enter a dreamlike state where their memory is a seriously impaired. Many women who are victims of date rape while on this drug don't even have a clear memory of being assaulted. Be careful about taking drinks from men you don't necessarily feel safe with.

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Types of Abuse:
(Its never ok to be abuse. Get help before its to late) Relationship abuse Parental Abuse Physical abuse Emotional Abuse Marital Abuse Child Abuse Animal Abuse Substance abuse Self Abuse Alcohol abuse More on Abuse:
Emotional abuse Can be very subtle, taking the form of repeated and severe criticism and put-downs or highly erratic behavior (loving one minute, screaming irrationally the next). It triggers the same insecurity as physical abuse- kids wrongly believe they deserve it. The damage it causes to your self-esteem can be real and lasting
Physical Abuse: Physical abuse is any behavior that inflicts physical pain. Most kids who are physically abused feel ashamed when others find out about it because they believe-incorrectly-that they deserve it. Sexual abuse Sexual abuse refers to any sexual relationship between an adult and a child (legally defined as someone under 18) This covers any kind of sexual behavior, from kissing or petting to oral sex or actual intercourse. In general, if a girl or boy feels strange or uncomforable about the way he or she is being approached by a family member, they should trust their feelings and take action! More information below!: FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE: National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 1-800-787-3224 www.ndvh.org NATIONAL CENTER for VICTIMS of CRIME 1-800-394-2255 www.ncvc.orgFor Further Info. on Domestic Violence National Center on Domestic & Sexual Violence 512-407-9020 www.ncdsv.org National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 303-839-9251 www.ncadv.org National Network to End Domestic Violence 202-543-5566 www.nnedv.org Family Violence Prevention Fund 1-800-END-ABUSE 1-800-363-2287 www.endabuse.org
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Self Inflection Support:You never alone. I have alot of supporters on here that would love to help. If not them me!
Thanks too:http://www.myspace.com/awareofsi Information about SI Self injury is most commonly seen as the act of deliberately causing harm to one's own body. In a matter of opinion, it can be defined as "an act one a person's own self that lasts for two hours or more." (Matter of opinion, though.) It is a sign of the emotional battles within, and can sometimes be seen as an addiction. There can be many causes to this, among them being emotional trauma, lack of an example on how to deal with extreme emotions at a young age, rape, harassment, and many other things. It takes a lot of strength to face this issue, and it isn't the easiest thing to come forward and say that you self injure to a family member. Self-Mutilation: Common behaviors Obsessive face picking Obsessively pulling out head and body hairs, a condition known as trichotillomania. Carving words or pictures into your body using razors, knifes, paper clips, bobby pins, pens, scissors, combs, pieces of glass, or finger nails etc. Compulsive cutting

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Anorexia_Bulimia: http://www.myspace.com/absiaware Anorexia Nervosa is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes an eating disorder characterized by low body weight and body image distortion. Individuals with anorexia often control body weight by voluntary starvation, purging, vomiting, excessive exercise, or other weight control measures, such as diet pills or diuretic drugs. It has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric condition, with approximately 10% of people diagnosed with the condition eventually die due to related factors. Anorexia nervosa is a complex condition, involving psychological, neurobiological, physiological and sociological components Behavior patterns (Anorexia: ♠ Obsession with the body and food. ♠ Need for perfection and control. ♠ Rapid mood swings. ♠ Anxiety ♠ Suicidal tendencies ♠ Lethargy ♠ Insomnia ♠ Depression ♠ Daily use of laxatives or diuretics in an attempt to control weight. ♠ Rigid schedule of obsessive exercise, even if in physical pain. ♠ Ritualized eating habits(eating at precise times of day, chewing each bite a specific number of times, etc)
Bulimia Nervosa more commonly known as bulimia, is an eating disorder. It is a psychological condition in which the subject engages in recurrent binge eating followed by an intentional purging. This purging is done in order to compensate for the excessive intake of the food and to prevent weight gain. Purging typically takes the form of vomiting; inappropriate use of laxatives, enemas, diuretics or other medication; excessive physical exercise, or fasting. Behavior patterns(Bulimia): ♠ Binge purge episodes ♠ Daily use of laxative and/or diuretics in an attempt to control weight. ♠ Obsession with the body and food. ♠ Tendency toward perfectionism. ♠ Rigid schedule of obsessive excercise, even when in pain. ♠ Mood swings ♠ Anxiety ♠ Suicidal thoughts ♠ Lethargy ♠ Insomnia and depression
Binge Eating Disorder:What is it? Binge eaters suffer from a combination of symptoms simliar to those of compulsive overeaters and bulimics. They periodically (on average, at least 2 days a week for 6 months) go on large binges, uncontrollably consumling an unusually large quantity of food in a short period of timr (less then two hours), eating until they are uncomfortably full. Unlike bulimics, bingers do not follow their binges with some type of purging behavior (like selfinduced vomiting or laxatives) They choose to eat for emotional reasons, to confort themselves, avoid threating situations, and numb emotional pain. Behavior patterns Bingeing Frequently eating alone (out of embarrassment over quantity) Preoccupation with weight Feeling disgusted, depression, or guilty after over eating
Anorexia_Bulimia More information:Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues.They are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences for females and males.ANOREXIA NERVOSA is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.Symptoms include:Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level Intense fear of weight gain or being “fat” Feeling “fat” or overweight despite dramatic weight loss Loss of menstrual periods Extreme concern with body weight and shape BULIMIA NERVOSA is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging. Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food--more than most people would eat in one meal--in short periods of time, then getting rid of the food and calories through vomiting, laxative abuse, or over-exercising. Symptoms include:Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness Purging after a binge, (typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting) Frequent dieting Extreme concern with body weight and shape BINGE EATING DISORDER (also known as COMPULSIVE OVEREATING) is characterized primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. While there is no purging, there may be sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred after a binge. People who overeat compulsively may struggle with anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can contribute to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity. OTHER EATING DISORDERS can include some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and/or binge eating disorder. While these behaviors may not be clinically considered a full syndrome eating disorder, they can still be physically dangerous and emotionally draining. All eating disorders require professional help. Anorexia Nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.Anorexia Nervosa has four primary symptoms: Resistance to maintaining body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height Intense fear of weight gain or being “fat” even though underweight. Disturbance in the experience of body weight or shape, undue influence of weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of low body weight. Loss of menstrual periods in girls and women post-puberty. Eating disorders experts have found that prompt intensive treatment significantly improves the chances of recovery. Therefore, it is important to be aware of some of the warning signs of anorexia nervosa. Warning Signs of Anorexia Nervosa:Dramatic weight loss. Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, and dieting. Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restrictions against whole categories of food (e.g. no carbohydrates, etc.). Frequent comments about feeling “fat” or overweight despite weight loss. Anxiety about gaining weight or being “fat.” Denial of hunger. Development of food rituals (e.g. eating foods in certain orders, excessive chewing, rearranging food on a plate). Consistent excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food. Excessive, rigid exercise regimen--despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury--the need to “burn off” calories taken in. Withdrawal from usual friends and activities. In general, behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns. Anorexia nervosa involves self-starvation. The body is denied the essential nutrients it needs to function normally, so it is forced to slow down all of its processes to conserve energy. This “slowing down” can have serious medical consequences. Health Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa:Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which mean that the heart muscle is changing. The risk for heart failure rises as heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower. Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones. Muscle loss and weakness. Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure. Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness. Dry hair and skin, hair loss is common. Growth of a downy layer of hair called lanugo all over the body, including the face, in an effort to keep the body warm. Statistics About Anorexia Nervosa: Approximately 90-95% of anorexia nervosa sufferers are girls and women (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Between 0.5-1% of American women suffer from anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is one of the most common psychiatric diagnoses in young women (Hsu, 1996). Between 5-20% of individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa will die. The probabilities of death increases within that range depending on the length of the condition (Zerbe, 1995). Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest death rates of any mental health condition. Anorexia nervosa typically appears in early to mid-adolescence. ♥Twenty Ways to Love Your Body!♥ (Compiled by Margo Maine, Ph.D.)Think of your body as the vehicle to your dreams. Honor it. Respect it. Fuel it. Your body is extraordinary--begin to respect and appreciate it.Create a list of all the things your body lets you do. Read it and add to it often.Become aware of what your body can do each day. Remember it is the instrument of your life, not just an ornament.Create a list of people you admire: people who have contributed to your life, your community, or the world. Consider whether their appearance was important to their success and accomplishments.Walk with your head held high, supported by pride and confidence in yourself as a person.Don’t let your weight or shape keep you from activities that you enjoy.Wear comfortable clothes that you like and that feel good to your body.Count your blessings, not your blemishes.Think about all the things you could accomplish with the time and energy you currently spend worrying about your body and appearance. Try one!Be your body’s friend and supporter, not its enemy.Consider this: your skin replaces itself once a month, your stomach lining every five days, your liver every six weeks, and your skeleton every three months.Every morning when you wake up, thank your body for resting and rejuvenating itself so you can enjoy the day.Every evening when you go to bed, tell your body how much you appreciate what it has allowed you to do throughout the day.Find a method of exercise that you enjoy and do it regularly. Don’t exercise to lose weight or to fight your body. Do it to make your body healthy and strong and because it makes you feel good.Think back to a time in your life when you felt good about your body. Tell yourself you can feel like that again, even in this body at this age.Keep a list of 10 positive things about yourself--without mentioning your appearance. Add to it!Put a sign on each of your mirrors saying, “I’m beautiful inside and out.”Choose to find the beauty in the world and in yourself.Start saying to yourself, “Life is too short to waste my time hating my body this way.”Eat when you are hungry. Rest when you are tired. Surround yourself with people that remind you of your inner strength and beauty!Teen ProblemsWhat are you going to do if this happens? Let it happen? Or ask for help. Your never alone. There is always someone out there who wants to help. Never give up. Be your own person and never let someone tell you other wise.
Drug Statistics-In 1998, 35.8 percent of traffic deaths of 15- to 20-year-olds were alcohol-related. -In the 1990's, hospital emergency department episodes involving heroin nearly quadrupled among youths ages 12-17. -Ecstasy is considered to be the most frequently used club drug. -15 percent of teens are binge drinkers in any given month. -Ninety-two percent of methamphetamine deaths reported in 1994 involved meth in combination with another drug, such as alcohol, heroin, or cocaine. -alcohol-medication interactions may be a factor in at least 25 percent of emergency room admissions. -Meth use can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain.

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