TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
In school im kinda considered an outcast. Ive had a lot of kids my age back stab me. The popular kids make fun of me because i do well in school. I wish that people just took the time to get to know me. Ive been having a lot of stress at home and school and it getting hard to take. My parents dont really have the time to talk between work and my mom's brother who is mentally ill is getting evitcted. This is adding more and more stress. I was hoping to maybe try and transfer schools next year so i can get a fresh start. Do you think this is a good idea or will the same problems occur in a new school?

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey, thanks for contacting TEEN LINE. I understand why you're feeling stressed out, and overwhelmed. It's difficult dealing with bullies, and to have your trust betrayed. Is there anybody you can talk to about everything that's been going on ? Like a close friend, family member, or a school counselor? Have you considered journaling? It might help to write down how you feel. It seems like you're going through a lot and you shouldn't have to deal with it alone. If you need somebody to talk to you can call TEEN LINE at 310-855-4673 (if you're from out of California), if you're from California you can call us at 1-800-852-8336, and we're open from 6PM to 10PM PST. We'd be glad to talk to you.

a TEEN LINE teen

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
I don't know what my problem is. Lately my favorite color has been red and black...the color that i wear and the color that i bleed. I don't know what 's wrong with me...i just need help...i just want somebody to talk to. That knowd what i'm going through....nobody seems to understand why bleeding calms me down. People ask why don't i just cry. Salty gross wet tears do not bring me comofort, my razor does...i'm not suicide...i don't want to die. I just want somebody

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Thanks for e-mailing TEEN LINE. It sounds like your going through a tough time right now. There are many people that use cutting to deal with their emotions so you are not the only one. But cutting is a dangerous activity to do. I heard you say that you aren't suicidal, but cutting vertically or very deep can cause death. Many cutters help overcome their addiction by putting an ice cube to their wrist, and drawing a red line on their arm so simulate the sensations. You can also wear a rubber band around your arm and snap it when you want to cut. Its also helpful to talk about your feelings and share whats bothering you with someone else like you did in this email to us. Can you tell your friends about problems in your life or your cutting? what about your parents or your siblings? Is there a school counselor at your school that you trust? You could also try writing down your feelings in a personal diary, or even listening to your favorite music when you feel stressed. If you call us, we might be able to give you the name of a counseling group you could attend, or if you need help when we are closed, a 24 hour hotline for cutters is avaliable. The number is 1-800-366-8288 and it is called Safe Alternatives. We are open from 6 to 10 PST every night at 1-310-855-4673.

-TEEN LINE teen

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
It all started with me meeting this amazing guy. I have really bad trust issues but somehow he got threw to me and I trusted him completely. Even with my heart. Then One day after church I found him in a parking lot makeing out with a random girl. We had ben together for two years and every amount of confidence I had was completely diminished. Well it's been two months and his friend ended up calling me. He brought my spirits back up, made me feel like I had some sort of meaning; that I was actually special for once in my life. Well things got much more heated and somehow he convinced me to send a nude picture. His compliments built me up evenmore and from then on I just couldn't say no. Well we were talking oned ay and I mentioned something my good friend and my exs bro had done together. He betrayed me and told the boy what I had told him. The boy called me and cussed me out worse than ever before. He made me feel like absolout crap and then decided to bring up the man I had been going with befor his bro. He had died in a crash while he was on his way home for my birthday. Then he brought up the pics and vid I had sent his friend in my moments of weakness. If any of that gets out my life is screwed and I don't think I can handle any more of this. I was so close to simply ending my life and if it weren't for my little sister I would probally not be writeing this at this ver moment. I have no clue how to fic this problem and they are threatening to show the whole church and my parents. Please help me...

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey,
Thanks so much for e-mailing us here at TEEN LINE. Wow, it sounds like you have been going through a lot. I can only imagine how hurt, upset and frustrated you must be feeling about all of the drama and heartache you have had to deal with. Have you tried talking to any close friends or adults about this? What about your parents or school counselor? I am really concerned about you and want you to be safe. I am really glad that you feel so close to your little sister. If you are ever feeling like ending your life please call the Suicide Prevention hotline at 800-784-2433.

It sounds like you are being harassed and bullied by these boys. Here is a website that can give you some tips on what to do http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp?area=main such as keeping track of and documenting the times you are harassed, telling an adult etc. I am so sorry that you are dealing with all of this stress. Everyone makes mistakes and these boys took advantage of you at a point of weakness. If you want to talk you can always call us here at TEEN LINE. Our number is (310)-855-4673 and we are open from 6-10 pm PST.

a TEEN LINE teen

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
i hate my life

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hi,
It seems like your feeling sad and upset. Why do you feel that you hate your life? What made you start feeling this way? Have you told anyone else about how you feel? Maybe you can talk to your school counselor or family member? You can always call us at 310-855-4673. We are open every night from 6-10pm. Speaking to others about how you feel can be very helpful.

a TEEN LINE teen

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
EMPTY EMOTIONAL HEART- I've been diagnosed with depression. So basically, I have this thing; I don't love myself. I like to say my emo[tional] heart is empty. Because it's empty, I'm always craving attention and love to make up for the love that I can't give myself. I've went from boyfriend to boyfriend in attempt to find the one that would "fix me". Fix my broken emo heart. The desire is so subconcious and so strong that it often gets in the way of things for me(in addition to multiple other things that hinder my life experience). I tend to do do personally-immoral things with an innocent intent to fix my heart. I used to have crushes on guys and I used to dream of them.Now, I only search for guys that that come to me. For the main reason tof me feeling that they're the one to fill my heart up with the love I neglect to fill myself. I(I hope you understand the concept-- before you can contribute to any relationship, you must first love yourself.) That's where the self confidence stems as well as other things which contributes to self esteem. The problem is- I DONT KNOW HOW TO LOVE MYSELF. I JUST DONT SEE ANYTHING IN ME WORTH WHILE. So basically, my issues with boys tend to stay the same. The structure of events and emotions. Firstly, a guy must show a percieved sincere interest in me. Second, my concience tells me that it's not going to work out for you. Third, feelings start growing to the boy and I bestowe all my worth in him. Fourth, I begin to worry that "I'm not good enough", or "Oh my god, he doesn't like me anymore. Because I mean nothing to him, the only conclusion is that I really must be unworthy", or "He showed me attention yesterday, and not today... I don't understand. Why would he play with me like that?I want him to constantly crave my attention, to constantly love me, to constantly show interest in me, to constantlygivemy heart some attention, some love. To always be my savior when I'm down, to always come to me! when I tughis shirt or give some gesture." or " Why would he give me that look? Gasp, he must hate me now. He realized I wasn't worth his time. He realized I wasn't good enough. He finally understands I want him. He now realizes I'm worth nothing because my emo heart is empty. I want him to share, but he doesn't want to. I want him to cradle me and tell me everything's going to be okay and that I can depend on him to make me happy." Fifth, something happens. The relationship has faded. And my world is crushed, my heart is crushed. And I hurt. And finally sixth, I subconciously begin to find somebody else who might save me. In conclusion, I've finally realized that a good many of my problems stem from my empty emotional heart(I have two hearts: ONE WHICH DISTRIBUTES BLOOD and ONE WHIHC DISTRIBUTES LOVE). How can you love me? How can anybody love me? How might I be able to show love for myself, and to love myself?

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hi, thanks for reaching out to us. It sounds like you're going through a lot right now and you must feel emotionally overwhelmed. The fact that you have been able to pinpoint the problem (the fact that you don't know how, or why you should love yourself) is a major step. What are the things that made you happier in the past? Depression tends to dull out the things that once seemed worthwhile. It would probably be really helpful if you had a support system. Do you have friends, family, or even a counselor you can talk to? Establishing a relationship where you can openly and honestly talk about your feelings may lead to some self-discovery. I wonder if you'd identify with some of the people who see themselves as 'love addicts.' There is a twelve step program you might want to look into. It is called Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. You can look up the program at the following website: www.slaafws.org. When on the website check out the characteristics and see if you identify with them. 12-step meetings are also a good way to build a support system with people who feel the same as you. I also encourage you to contact us here at TEEN LINE. You can call us at 310-855-4673 any night from 6-10pm (pst).

a TEEN LINE teen