14 years old, Female, NC

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:

 Lately, I have felt like no one is there for me when I need it. I feel as if… I have no one and all everyone wants to do is bring me down. Every depression test I have taken has said that I have severe depression. Recently I met a guy who I thought loved me for me, but he just lead me on and left me soon after.

I already have problems at home with my dad because he is an alcoholic. It does not help that I have been bullied since the second grade for no reason at all. I started high school last year and many kids at my school do not like me. I try to be this happy person but I am tired of hiding the scars on my body. I have cut almost everywhere and even on the side of my neck. I have attempted suicide about 4 times and occasionally I smoke with my friends to relieve stress. I seriously need help! I just want to talk to someone that understands.

TEENLINE WROTE:

Hi ________,

Thank you for reaching out to Teen Line. I’m so sorry that you have had such a hard time. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help and it sounds like you have been in pain (emotionally and physically) for a long time. I can’t imagine living with an alcoholic dad, dealing with a broken heart and having to deal with bullies. I hope you can find someone to talk to like a counselor or another adult?  It concerns me that you are taking it out on yourself by cutting. You can always call Teen Line and talk with one of us. There is also”cutting” information and support ww.self-injury.net. There is also a bullying website www.bullying.org and of course you can always contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline 24hrs if you are feeling really vulnerable 877-727-4747.

You are strong (just writing your email is proof of strength) and you are not alone.

 a TEEN LINE teen

14 years old, Female, United Kingdom

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:

i self harm, run away, push away my friends and family, always put depressing statuses on facebook, have suicidal thoughs, and starve well ’try’ to starve myself, i just cant cope like this on my own anymore and i think its time to come out of my closet and tell someone so i looked at chat rooms on the internet and i found this, can you help me?

TEEN LINE WROTE:

Hi ______,

Thank you so much for contacting us here at TEEN LINE. I am so sorry to hear what you are going through, and it must be so difficult having those thoughts often, and that can be very frustrating. I know you say you have felt like killing yourself, and maybe it’s hard to see that your family, friends and other people really care about you. Also, its good to remember that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Have you tried talking to someone trusted about this? Someone like a family member, a school counselor, a good friend, therapist, etc? It is really important to talk to someone face to face about this and let your emotions out, because it can be really beneficial in a positive way and I really care about your well-being. I want to refer you to www.self-injury.net, which can help you with your cutting. For when you want to run away, I encourage you to check out http://makerunawayssafe.org.uk/ and they can help you make safe decisions the next time you might want to run away. And about wanting to starve yourself, I want to refer you to www.nationaleatingdisorders.org. You can also call the Samaritans when you are feeling suicidal, and they are available to you 24 hours a day and their number is 08457 90 90 90*, and they do charge. Here at TEEN LINE we also have a great thing called messageboards, at www.teenlineonline.org/boards and it is something where you can read and respond to people dealing with a similar situation as you. Thank you so much for contacting us here at TEEN LINE, and it is a big step forward into helping you solve your situation.

a TEEN LINE teen

15 years old, Female, United States

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:

Why does it affect me this badly? I have anxiety attacks too often and they’re for reasons that shouldn’t hurt this much.

TEEN LINE WROTE:

Hey _____,

First I would just like to say thank you so much for reaching out and contacting us here at TEEN LINE. It sounds like you are going through a very stressful and rough time. Is there anyone that you feel you could talk to about this stress, and anxiety? Maybe a friend, trusted adult, or school counselor? Sometimes anxiety attacks are caused by the stress or weight of another situation, and it may really benefit you to discuss and talk about that with a professional counselor, and may help decrease the number of anxiety attacks. A parent or trusted adult might be able to connect you with a professional trained counselor. If you would ever like to talk to anyone you could always call us here at TEEN LINE from 6-10 PM PST everyday at 310-855-4673. Thanks again so much for reaching out and contacting us.

a TEEN LINE teen

19 years old, Male, CA

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:

I hate how I spend my life and no matter how bad I want to change it, I won’t because I’m apathetic. My life has no meaning, the only reason I have not killed myself is because I wouldn’t want to share what I feel with the people who love me, they deserve better than that.

My life currently consists of waking up around 1:00 pm, even though I say that i will wake up early. I usually stay up late because I have a hard time falling sleep due to myself issues. If given time to think I fixate on everything that I have done wrong in my life as well as how I could have improved things I did throughout the day… Now getting onto the topic of my daily life, like I said I get up late and spend the majority of my day on the computer. When I am home and not on my computer I usually work out. about 5 days a week.  This is my life and if I’m not at home I’m working a job that I hate for over a year.

I have a lot of friends but I rarely see them since whenever i get asked to hangout I lie and tell them i cannot because I’m scared of the possibility of going somewhere that I have never been. I do not find joy in life and i cannot change even though I  want to.

TEEN LINE WROTE:

Hi,

I want to thank you for reaching out to us here at TEEN LINE.  IT sounds like you are going through a really hard time right now and you are brave for reaching out and asking for help.  It sounds like you really want to change things in your life, but you won’t.  What do you think is stopping you?  Have you tried talking to someone about what you are feeling, and what you have been going through?  Is there anyone in your life that you trust that you feel like you might  be able to confide in?  A friend, parent, teacher, boss, sibling, or counselor?  You can always call us here at TEEN LINE.  Our number is 310.855.4673, and our hours are 6pm to 10 pm.  You mentioned feeling suicidal, if you are ever feeling suicidal you can call the National Suicide prevention hotline, which is open 24/7, there number is 877.727.4747.  It’s great that you are disciplined and continue to work out every day.  Is there anything else in your life that you enjoy, sports, music, art, writing in a journal.  All of these can be really good outlets for your feelings.  It sounds like you are struggling with some depression, and I really encourage you to talk to someone that you trust about how you are feeling.

Hope this helps,

Take care,

TEEN LINE

18 years old, Female

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:

i have been raped and feel so scared and confused.

TEEN LINE WROTE:

Hi _____,

First of all, I would really like to thank you for contacting teenline. It’s a really hard thing to do, and demonstrates a lot of bravery.  I am so so sorry to hear that you were raped, and cannot imagine how scared and vulnerable you must be feeling. I want to emphasize that what happened was not your fault.  It might help you to call teenline so we can discuss your feelings about your situation in greater detail. Our number is 310-855-4673. We are open between the hours of 6:00pm to 10:00pm PST.  I am really concerned for your safety, and would encourage you to seek medical treatment, and get consultation, to make sure you’re okay. The website plannedparenthood.org is a great resource. here, you can type in your zip code and they will direct you to your closest medical clinic where you can get checked out. If you’d prefer to speak to a person well versed in the topic of sexual assault you can also call their number, 800-230-7526. They are open 24/7.

There are a few online sites that might help you get a sense of what’s going on. The Rape and Incest National Network is a great organization that can help you during this time.  Their website is www.rainn.org, and they also have a phone number which is 800-656-4673. They can help provide counseling services and talk to you about what happened.

Thank you again for contacting teenline,

a TEEN LINE teen

14 years old, Female, Indiana

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM

Everyone is saying they don’t love me and to kill myself.. I am so close to the point to doing it.

TEEN LINE WROTE:

Hey ______,

First of all, I want to thank you for contacting us at Teen Line. It takes a lot of courage to reach out to someone and ask for help, so it says a lot about you as a person that you’ve been able to do that. What you’re going through sounds so difficult. For people to tell you those awful things is hurtful, cruel and completely unnecessary. I’m worried about you, and I want to make sure that you are safe. If you would feel comfortable, it might be good to talk to a guidance counselor at your school or another trusted adult about what you’re going through. Guidance counselors are there to offer support to students when they need it, so that may be a resource you could consider. Also, You could call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 877-727-4747. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is a great resource for people who are enduring a similar burden. Finally, I encourage you to call us here at Teen Line so we can discuss this in more detail. Our number is 310-855-4673, and we are open from 6 to 10 pm PST, seven days a week. Once again, I want to thank you for contacting Teen Line, and I hope to hear from you soon.

-a TEEN LINE teen

16 years old, Female, UT

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:

I am very depressed all I think about day and night is what will be the best way to tell my parents that i want to kill myself that they are the main cause of me feeling this way they are my parents but all they do is tear me down.

TEEN LINE WROTE:

Hey ____,

Thanks so much for reaching out to us at Teen Line, it sounds like you’re going through a really tough time right now and I am so glad you decided to write in. Telling your parents that your suicidal can be really hard and I understand how it would constantly be in your head. When someone is going through a difficult time a lot of people have suicidal thoughts and I really want to emphasize that you’re not alone and that it’s important for you to talk to someone about these feelings if you feel like you would act on them.  You mentioned that your parents constantly tear you down and they are the main cause of you wanting to kill yourself. I first want to say I’m sorry to hear your parents aren’t supportive of you and that they constantly tear you down, your family life should be a safe and comfortable environment.  I also want to ask if you have told anyone about your suicidal feelings or about how your parents make you feel. If you haven’t, one thing you can do is find a trustworthy friend, favorite teacher, school counselor, or even a relative so you can build a support system and you have someone to talk to about everything that’s going on in your life. In addition I highly encourage you to call the Suicide Prevention Hotline whenever you need to talk to someone anonymously about your suicidal feelings, depression, and parents. They are a 24 hour hotline and their number is 877-727-4747. Lastly, I also encourage you to call us at Teen Line if you want to talk with another one of our teens. We are open from 6-10 pm and our number is 310-855-4673. Once again thanks so much for contacting us!

Sincerely,

a TEEN LINE teen

17 years old, Male, ME

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:

So my girlfriends mom doesn’t let us date, I turned 17 a few months ago and she’ll turn 15 in 4 months. I knew she wasn’t allowed to date when we started dating but I didn’t know how serious it was that we wouldn’t be allowed to ever hangout. We decided to sneak around and so I found every once and a while i’d go to her house when her mom left and at night she would sneak out. One night she snuck out while she was having a hard time and everyone else was asleep so I went to take care of her, her mom woke up and called the cops the cops were cool about it and felt bad for me after I told them all about her mom. Ever since then we haven’t been able to sneak around because her mom is scary and will catch us. Her mom found out we’ve had sex and honestly wasn’t so mad about it, but anyways after so many emotional ups and downs her mom finally decided to come to my house and meet with my mom and I. And lets just say I did everything to persuade her to let us be friends and she just wouldn’t let it happen, she said no boys in her house till her daughter is 16, we’ve been dating for 8 months and it’s so hard but I could never ever leave her, I just honestly don’t know what to do. Please… help.

TEEN LINE WROTE:

Hi ____,

I want to thank you for reaching out to us here at TEEN LINE.  It sounds like you have been going through a lot lately with your relationship with your girlfriend.  It sounds so hard to be forbidden to see each other especially because it seems like you really care about her and just want to be with her.  It sounds like you have have tried everything to reason with her mother, and she is really set in her ways about her daughter.  This doesn’t give you much else you can do.  Do you think you would be able to wait to be with her until she turns 16?  I know that might sound  like torture, but sneaking around with her might end up with another call to the police.  Do you think her mother might let her be at your house under the supervision of your mom? It might help to stay busy with activities in your life that you enjoy, like sports, exercise, music, art, writing, anything that can keep you busy until you can be with your girlfriend.  If you need someone to talk to about all of this you can call us here at TEEN LINE.  Our number is 310.855.4673, and our hours are 6pm to 10pm PST.

Hope this helps,

Take care

TEEN LINE

13 year old, Female, NC

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:

There’s times where I feel like I’m not important and I feel like committing suicide  so I can leave this world.  I have problems about my body and I’m always thinking of other ways to kill my self.  What can I do?

TEENLINE WROTE:

Hey _______,

I’m so glad you contacted us at TEEN LINE. It sounds like you’re feeling very overwhelmed and upset, and it makes me worried to hear that you’re feeling that way! I would strongly encourage you to tell a parent or any other trusted adult about how you’re feeling. You don’t deserve to be feeling like this, and I want you to feel better. Writing in a diary or talking to a friend could really help you lift some weight off your shoulders. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and I believe that you can get through this.

You mentioned you constantly think of ways to kill yourself, and that worries me. I want to give you the number to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline in case you’re thinking of hurting yourself. Their phone number is 1(877) 727-4747. Don’t hesitate to call.

Call us in here at TEEN LINE, we would love to talk more in depth with you about what you’re going through. Our phone number is 1(310) 855-4673 and we are open from 6p.m.-10p.m. PST.

Hope to hear from you soon, stay strong.

a TEEN LINE teen

16 years old, Male, Aus

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:

I’ve had this eating problem for about 3 years. I just hate the way I look, so I don’t eat. I have a BMI of 17.3, which isn’t too bad, I guess, but It’s been causing me to develop health issues. I sleep more and work less; I’m always in a horrible mood. And recently, I’ve started having suicidal thoughts. I’ve been cutting myself repeatedly, wishing I could die, simply because I’m ugly. I have no reason to live. I just want help, but there’s no one that cares.. I want to die most hours of the day.

TEENLINE WROTE:

Hi _____,

There is so much going on in your life right now and I really want to thank you for emailing us.  It sounds like you feel like you have no one to talk to, which can be very isolating, so I really think its great that you reached out for help, it shows how strong you are.  You mentioned that you haven’t been eating because you hate the way you look.  Not eating isn’t healthy, and I have to say, I’m really worried about you.  It seems like you are really self-aware, and you have noticed how not eating is affecting you.  I know you said you feel like no one cares, but I’m wondering if there is someone you would feel comfortable talking to, like a trusted adult or family member, or maybe a school counselor.  I also want to give you the number to an eating disorder hotline based in Australia.  They are called the Butterfly Foundation for Eating Disorders, and they are there to talk to you.  Their number is 1800-33-4673.

You also mentioned you were having suicidal thoughts, which also worries me.  I want you to know that suicide is not the answer and that things always have the capacity to get better. I want to give you the number to a hotline based in Australia.  They’re called Samaritans and they are there to talk to you. Their crisis number is 08 9381 5555 and their youth line’s number is 08 9388 2500 and they are both open 24/7.

You also mentioned you are cutting.  It sounds like you are using it as a coping mechanism to deal with everything that is going on in your life.  I’m wondering if there is anything else that you can do to cope, like drawing, playing a sport, taking walks, or listening to music.  I’m also wondering if there are any other things you can do instead of cutting, like drawing on yourself when and where you feel the urge to cut with a red pen or writing in a journal just so you can get your feelings out on paper.  I also want to give you the link to www.self-injury.net.  They are a website about self injury, and they have more coping mechanisms, information, and success stories about people who have been able to stop self harming.

It really sounds like you are being hard on yourself, and a lot of the time, that can make you feel really bad.  I really want to encourage you to try being kind to yourself, which is easier said than done, but maybe just pick a part of yourself that you like, like your hair or your personality or something, and just go from there. Its really hard when you have high standards for yourself, and you feel like you aren’t meeting them, but you seem really smart, and definitely strong because you were able to reach out for help, which is something not many people can do.  It takes a lot of courage to do that. Unfortunately, we cannot take calls from Australia, but Samaritans is really great, and I really want to encourage you to give them a call.  I really hope that everything works out for you.

a TEEN LINE teen