Use these resources to find
info, talk to someone and get help. The numbers listed here are
toll-free and won’t show up on your phone bill in any way.
IF YOU, A FRIEND OR A PARENT IS ABUSING ALCOHOL OR DRUGS:
Alateen
Alateen
assists teens who have a relative or a friend who is abusing alchohol.
Go to al-anon.alateen.org/alateen.html for information for information
and support.
The Cool Spot
Need to know how much alcohol is
in a drink, what alcohol does to your body, how to resist peer pressure
and other drinking information? Visit the thecoolspot.gov, a site on
alcohol just for teens.
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)
If
you have questions about getting help for drug abuse for you or a
friend or loved one, call 1-800-729-6686 24/7 to speak with someone who
can give you info and help guide you to resources and professionals in
your area.
National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens (NIDA)
Nida’s
teen site, teens.drugabuse.gov, provides facts geared towards teenagers
about the symptoms and results of drug abuse. Read stories from real
girls who have dealt with drug abuse and find answers to all your
questions about drugs.
IF YOU OR A FRIEND IS BEING PHYSICALLY ABUSED OR IS AT RISK FOR VIOLENCE:
National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
A
one-stop shop for all violence-related issues, the National Youth
Violence Prevention Resource Center can provide and help and info for
dating, domestic and school-based abuse. Call 1-866-SAFEYOUTH or visit
safeyouth.org.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
The
NDVH has help and info for teens suffering abuse at the hands of a
boyfriend. Visit ndvh.org/help/teen-help.html or call 1-800-799-SAFE.
IF YOU OR A FRIEND HAVE BEEN RAPED OR SEXUALLY ASSAULTED:
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
RAINN
is a national organization that helps sexual assault victims of all
ages. Trained professionals are ready to assist you 24 hours a day,
seven days a week in finding a counselor in your area and getting
shelter, if needed. RAINN is completely confidential. Call their
National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. You can also go to
their website, rainn.org, to find counselors and resources in your area.
IF
YOU OR A FRIEND IS PREGNANT AND NEED ADVICE: Planned Parenthood
Federation of America's website, plannedparenthood.org can provide you
with info you need.
IF YOU OR A FRIEND IS SUFFERING FROM AN EATING DISORDER:
National Eating Disorders Association
The
National Eating Disorders Association’s website, edap.org, offers
information for teenagers about the signs of eating disorders,
treatment programs, referrals, and programs in their area. Their
hotline, 1-800-931-2237, offers immediate help.
Mirror Mirror
The
Eating Disorders Mirror Mirror site, mirror-mirror.org/eatdis.htm,
offers guidance to those who are on the road to recovery and support to
those who are looking for it. There are also links to other resources
and descriptions of symptoms and warning signs of eating disorders.
IF YOU OR A FRIEND IS INJURING YOURSELF*:
Kids Health
An
umbrella site for issues of all kinds for teens, including issues about
body image, sexual abuse, eating disorders, drugs and alcohol, and
diseases, Kids Health’s teen web site (kidshealth.org/teen) has a
section with information about cutting and self-abuse located at
kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/cutting.html.
Psyke
Psyke
(psyke.org) offers self-injury information and support in the form of
personal forums, stories, FAQs, coping techniques, articles and
external links to other excellent resources.
S.A.F.E. Alternatives
S.A.F.E
provides a hotline where self-injurers can get a list of therapists who
have experience treating teens who cut. Call 1-800-DONTCUT for
resources in your area.
IF YOU OR A FRIEND IS FEELING SUICIDAL OR SUFFERING FROM SEVERE DEPRESSION:
Hotlines
If
it is crucial that you get help right away, call 1-800-SUICIDE
(1-800-784-2433) or 911 IMMEDIATELY. Suicidehotlines.com also offers
hotlines in all 50 states for immediate help with suicide or self-harm
issues.
Focus Adolescent Services
Focus Adolescent services (focusas.com) offers info on local help and resources for teens.
Depression.com
Depression
is one of the most common problems for teenagers today. Help can be
found at depression.com, which offers information on understanding
depression, treating depression and dealing with depression in everyday
life. The site also details how others have recovered from depression,
and offers tips in maintaining mental health.
PEER-BASED HELP:
Teenline
Teenline
(teenlineonline.org) is hotline staffed by teens from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
PST. (Call 310-855-HOPE or 800-TLC-TEEN; toll-free in California only).
The site also offers a Youth Yellow Pages to look up specific
resources, 24/7 email, message boards and info on outreach services.
POSTED ON 8/4/2008 1:04:00 AM