TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
Hi, sorry if I'm wasting everyone's time but I feel Depressed alot and I feel like people hate me and I'm a bit cridical about my body, I think everyone will hate me if I come out as Bi, Any ideas?

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Thanks so much for contacting TEEN LINE. No, you are definitley not wasting our time by emailing us. It sounds like you are going through a really tough time. It definitely sounds overwhelming for you being depressed and being critical about your body, and trying to come out as Bi doesn't make it any easier. First of all, it is a really hard thing to do to come out as bi sexual and you are very brave in wanting to do so, even if your scared too. You should not feel that you have to come out when you are not ready.

Have you considered first just telling your close friends, or maybe your parents if you have a good relationship with them? That way you could start out slowly and that might be easier then coming out to everyone all at once. Coming out could help you deal with your depression, because that way you wouldn't be hiding something from all of your peers. Have you ever talked to anyone, like a close friend, trusted adult, or school counselor about your deppresion, body criticism, or coming out? Maybe if you did he or she could help you deal with everything that is going on.

If you don't have anyone to talk to, or you do but you would like to talk to someone else as well, you can call the Gay-Straight Alliance at (213) 534-7162 or go on their website at www.gsanetwork.org.
Also, if you feel like you would benefit from some counseling, then you can call the Airport Marina at (310) 670-1410. Their initial fee is thirty dollars but after that it is a sliding scale.
And, you can always call Teen Line at (800) TLC-TEEN so we can help you to sort it out. We're open from 6pm-10pm PST. I hope everything works out and thanks again for contacting TEEN LINE.
~a TEEN LINE teen