TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
Ok so I will be 18 in April and my parents have told me that I am not allowed to live there past then so I have to get my own apartment, is there and kind of financial aid that I can apply for in Ontario to help me get started..... I just dont know where to start... Ive been looking at places that are about $500- $700 in rent a month but how much is hydro and water and etc.... or is that inclded? I want to start saving my money but I dont even know how much ill need and do I have to wait til Im 18 to live on my own or can I leave sooner?

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey thanks for contacting us. It must be scary to be sent out on your own and not have the means to do so. I don't know much about what it to takes and what you need to rent an apartment but are your parents willing to help you find a place? or how about another friend or adult you know who lives in an apartment building? I think that there might be a law about moving out of your house before you are 18 so i am going to give you the link of a website focused on legal issues so you can check that out. the website is (http://www.ontariodivorces.com/legalaid.html). If you are concerned about utility costs, maybe you could talk to someone you know who pays for utilities. Also, do you have a job? that may help you save up money. I know moving can be a stressful thing so you can always live chat with us here at TEEN LINE if you want to talk. we are open 7 days a week from 6-10pm pacific standard time.

a TEEN LINE teen

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
I feel totally useless. I promised my parents I'd do good in Algebra this year, and now I'm failing horribly. I don't know why, but I do the best of my effort on tests, but every time they come back it's F after F after F. I feel useless because everyone around me is passing the tests with ease and I just sit in my desk looking like an idiot because I don't know what to do. Everyone is like, "Look at my grade!" while I'm hurrying to put my test away because I'm so embarrased by it. I feel like I'm dissapointing everybody. My parents are putting in everything to try and help me and I have nothing to show for it. If I do pass this year it is going to be a very low D. Why can't I do better? I hate myself.

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey thanks for emailing us at TEEN LINE. It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I'm wondering what do you mean when you said "I hate myself". It is important to keep in mind that everyone is different and sometimes other people do better than others in some subjects. It seems like math is just a subject that is more difficult for you, which is normal. Maybe you can try creating a study group with a couple of friends who can help you understand the subject more, or a tutor can also be a great help with all sorts of subjects especially math. Have you talked to anyone else about how you are feeling, like your teacher, a friend, or a school counselor, maybe one of them can relate or can help you improve your grade. If you want you can also call us and we can come up with things together to help you with school. Our number is 310-855-4673 and we are open from 6-10pm PST. We would really like to hear from you and listen to what your going through.

a TEEN LINE teen

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
He is a 23 year old boy , that has nowhere to live but the streets he is trying to get his life together i'm trying to find a place where he can get a new life for him self..please send any info you have so we can help him ..

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey. Thank you for emailing us here at TEEN LINE and thank you for the concern you have for this boy. Here is a website that lists many shelters located around Chicago, Illinois: www.hud.gov/local/il/homeless/shelters/sheltertable.cfm . Hope this helps. If you need any more information, you can call us. Our number is (310) 855-4673 and we are open 6-10pm PST.

a TEEN LINE teen

TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
Im starting to hate myself. this has happened before. people calling me fat, ugly, bi*ch...all this other stuff. today this kid in my class called me by the guy form of my name. I know this shouldnt bother me, but it did. last year, grade 8, that was the worst year of my life. I started to despise my self, and I was angry. why couldnt I be thin. why couldnt I be pretty? those were the questions I was asking myself. today just set them off. is there anyway that I can get my self-esteem again?

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey thanks for contacting TEEN LINE. It sounds like you are feeling really hurt by these people who are being mean to you, which is causing you to lose your self- esteem. I'm sorry that people are making you feel bad about yourself, its not fun to feel that way. Have you tried talking to a school counselor or friend about how you are feeling? Talking to someone about how your are feeling can help you feel better about yourself and deal with these rough situations. What happened in 8th grade that made that year so bad for you? I am concerned about how you are feeling and I want to know more about the story so I can help you get through this. I would really love for you to call us or live chat with us here at TEEN LINE so we can talk to you about this and other things that may be going on. Our number is (310)855-4673. We are open 7 days a week from 6-10 PM PST.

a TEEN LINE teen