The English Baccalaureate, explained By Jack (Coenred) It’s been two years since the fiasco of the British general election, which ended with Cameron and Clegg promising change and reform to wherever they thought it was needed. Following the non-record breaking exam results of 2012, they turned their collective gaze to the education system. They announced that they would find a way to turn it into a more fair and well-rounded system. However, what are the changes they’re making?...

Elder abuse By Robin (PSY) Many of us are fortunate to have grandparents or other beloved elderly adults in our lives. Some of these individuals may need more assistance from family members and caregivers than others, but regardless of how dependent elders may be on other people, all of them are vulnerable to abuse of various forms. Unfortunately, you may have seen this in your own life. Perhaps you’ve noticed suspicious bruises, which were dismissed as the result of a “fall.” Maybe...

Learning from the Paralympics By Hester (LiveLongAndProsper) Some people will know that the Paralympics took place this year (2012) in Great Britain. A huge number of countries and talented athletes took part. Records were broken, gold medals were won, and every country that took part was made proud. However, the Paralympics is more than just a sporting event to be watched and then forgotten. First, there are the obvious lessons to be learnt. Anybody can take part in a sport. You can be...

The cycle of domestic violence By Brittany (Aspire.) Overview of domestic abuse Every eighteen seconds, an act of domestic violence occurs. Although the common assumption is that it’s only women who are abused, that’s purely a myth. Domestic violence does not discriminate. Victims can be any age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or social status. While most people think that it’s easy to recognize abuse, the cycle of domestic violence is frequently overlooked. This generally...

Finding and applying for a job By Lydia (Nostalgia) Given the current recession, finding a job has been incredibly difficult. Many countries all across the world have high numbers of unemployment; unfortunately, unemployment affects all ages and walks of life. This means that there is a lot of competition for jobs, and that you will be competing against adults who may have more experience than you. However, employers won't just be looking for experience. Employers will also look or other...

Do I need a diagnosis? By Robin (PSY) The question of whether or not an official diagnosis of a mental illness is necessary can be complex and difficult to answer. First, let’s be clear about what we mean by “diagnosis.” Typically, when someone suspects something is wrong mentally or emotionally, they will seek help, either by discussing their concerns with peers (ex. members of TeenHelp) or by meeting with a medical or psychological professional. Generally, the only person who can offer an...

Keeping guinea pigs as pets By Hester (Peppermint Tea.♥) So you’re thinking about getting a pet, but aren’t sure which animal to choose. Perhaps you’ve already decided against a cat or a dog because they're too large or too much work. Guinea pigs are small, can be kept in cages and are very cute and cuddly. Guinea pigs (also known as piggies) belong to the cavy family, and are originally from South America, where they were considered a delicacy! They are now considered very popular pets,...

Finding out that you are going to be a father By Lyndsee (Heartlines.) You just found out you're going to be a father. Your emotions are all over the place; you might be shocked, happy, anxious, or upset. You have a lot of questions: "How are we going to afford this child?" "Do we keep it?" "Is it mine?" These are all natural emotions to feel and questions to have. The way in which one reacts or feels can depend on the person, the relationship with the mother, things going on in one's...

Who suffers from mental illness? By Robin (PSY) Many of you may be familiar with the nature vs. nurture debate in regards to mental illness. To briefly summarize, some people believe that genetics determine whether or not individuals will suffer from mental illness, while other people believe that the environment and life events are more responsible for this. In reality, nature AND nurture interact with each other. So what does this mean for those who worry that they or their loved ones may...

The Dangers of Self-Diagnosis By Robin (PSY) “I'm depressed.” This statement may seem straightforward at first, but think about it for a moment. If someone you knew said, “I'm depressed,” what would you conclude? Would you assume that they were merely feeling sad, and that their feelings would go away after a few days? Or would you assume that they were suffering from a chronic mental illness, where their mood was affected by a number of biological and environmental factors? Your conclusion...

Stress free tips for going back to school By Hollie (Belle.) Going back to school after a break is definitely something that can be very stressful. Whether the break has been short or very long, returning after it is long dreaded and often unhappy for many reasons. The last minute dash to get decent school shoes when most other people have the same idea, trying to find a big enough school bag to fit all the necessary items , trying desperately to finish all the holiday homework you’d...

Wanting to be a teenage mum By Hester (Peppermint Tea.♥) It is very common for a teenager to want a child. You see a new mother pushing her tiny one in a pushchair and you get that overwhelming desire to have one of your own. Teenage parenthood is all the rage at the moment. With programmes like Teen Mom being aired with massive ratings, it’s no wonder that the Internet is full of teenagers with aspirations to become young parents. If you look on any teen help forum you’ll likely find...

How to overcome nail biting By Hester (Peppermint Tea.♥) Nail biting is a habit that a lot of people struggle with, from children, to teens, even adults. For some people, nail biting is something that they do when they are stressed. Other people get a feeling of comfort or security from it. Nail biting can cause damage to your fingers and nails. Short-term damage can include sore or bleeding nail beds, hang nails and infections. Although nail biting doesn’t usually cause long-term...

Young carers (caregivers) – Caring for a loved one By Jessie (Palmolive) How to know if you’re a carer for someone with a mental or physical health problem. If you are under the age of 18 and provide care to a family member, you are considered a young caregiver. It may be the case that your parent suffers with an illness that results in you not only caring for them, but also caring for your siblings. You don’t necessarily have to live with the person you care for. Caring for...

Rainbow pancakes By Cheye (Tigerlily.) You may be wondering how to make a regular stack of pancakes more exciting and colourful. A great way to do so is by making them 'rainbow pancakes'. For this you would need at least six colours to complete the rainbow. If you plan on cooking just for yourself and can't eat a whole batch of pancakes, try making mini pancakes. They are approximately three inches in diameter (7.5-8 cm), meaning it doesn't take much batter, and they cook in less than...