Supporting a loved one with cancer By Dez (Terabithia.) What is cancer? The two types of tumors that can be found in the body are benign and malignant: benign tumors are masses of cells that cannot spread to other organs or invade the surrounding tissue, while malignant tumors invade surrounding tissue and may begin to invade other organs if not treated quickly. The term “cancer” is used to describe malignant tumors. Cancer is a condition in which abnormal cells in the body begin to grow...

Debunking the myths of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder By Cassie (Cassado) and Jenny (coolkid98) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is "an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions), or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something (compulsions)." source]. OCD is widely known about, but it is also commonly misunderstood. Some of these misunderstandings can make people living with the disorder reluctant to talk...

Thirteen Reasons Why By Brittany (.Brittany.) and Oliver (anemoia) In 2007, the novel Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher was released. In July of 2011, Asher's novel became #1 on the New York Times best-seller list. In 2016, Selena Gomez teamed up with Netflix to produce an original series based on the book. The series was released on March 31, 2017. The release of the series has since sparked a debate all over the world. The series is about the suicide of Hannah Baker and the events...

Brought up by alcohol By Anonymous Since about the age of eight years old I have watched my dad drink. He would have a can of beer whilst playing a game with us while my mum cooked dinner, and that would be the norm for a Sunday night. It never really bothered me that much when I was younger as alcohol has always been in this house and always will be. During the day he is sober, holding down a job from nine to six in an office. He's not the stereotypical ...

Enjoying Valentine's Day when you're single By Cassie (Cassado) and Haley (Halcyon) Valentine's Day is a highly anticipated day for some, but the complete opposite for others. Many single people struggle with conflicting feelings on Valentine's Day, but they are not alone in their struggles. Luckily, there are many things you can do to help combat the negative feelings you experience around Valentine's Day. Create a plan for the day. Time flies if you're having fun, and ...

The argument for vaccinations By Traci (Coffee.) Vaccinations are considered one of the 20th century’s biggest medical success stories. Childhood illnesses that once were a common reason for mortality, such as polio, small pox, and mumps are seen as problems of the past in developed nations. Recently, skepticism about the effectiveness and safety of vaccinations has become a common concern. Because of this, fewer parents are having their children vaccinated, causing outbreaks of now rare...

Cause of the Month: Pencils of Promise By Katrina (AppleTini) As we gear up for the new school year, Pencils of Promise is hitting its prime season for helping children across the globe. "Pencils of Promise partners with local communities to build schools and increase educational opportunities in the developing world. We focus on early education, high potential females and empowering a new generation of passionate young leaders to create profound good." Less than two years ago, founder Adam...

The basics of creative writing By Chess ( *~Skittles Martinski~* ) and Dez ( *~Skittlify~* ) Creative writing is an excellent way for you to express thoughts, ideas, and opinions in an interesting and imaginative way. There are many forms of creative writing that you can do depending on your interests, and inspiration can be found in a variety of areas. It is a good way to escape from the formal writing you do at work or in school and instead share your talent! Due to the number of...

Believe You are Good Enough By Sara Westbrook Sara Westbrook, one of TeenHelp's partners, has graciously shared this article on the value and importance of self worth in improving one's quality of life. She is a motivational singer, song writer, and speaker, and youth advice columnist who hopes to empower youth around the world. For more information on her mission, visit www.sarawestbrook.com. Q: I’m really going through a lot and there’s no one I can talk to. I’m hating myself by the...

Medication to treat mental health disorders By Dez ( *~Sparkly Queer~* ) Medications are commonly used in order to help treat and reduce the symptoms of many mental illnesses. While many people find it beneficial to use medication to treat their symptoms, it is important to make sure that going on medication is something that is right for you. There are many things to consider before starting a medication to treat your mental illness. Things to discuss with your prescriber ...

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Letters from Universities - How to Stay Sane! By Robin (PSY) You have been a student for most of your life. There has never been a time when you haven't had to stress over homework assignments and final exams. Looking ahead, you see yourself going on to undergraduate or graduate school... if you have what it takes. That's right – it's March, and letters from universities will be arriving soon! Whether you're about to earn your high school diploma or your bachelors degree, take a look at...

Lucid dreaming By Maria (Gidig) Certainly you can remember a dream you’ve had at least once in all the years you’ve been sleeping. Perhaps it was something realistic, such as going swimming with a friend or doing your homework. Perhaps it was something crazy like buying a mansion in another dimension where Antarctica is the hottest place on Earth. Dreams are a natural part of sleeping and people over the age of ten have about four to six dreams per night. Lucid dreams are something...

The power of speech by Holly Marie (Rie) Those who stutter may face discrimination, bullying, prejudice and even be led to social isolation. Around 60 million people struggle with stuttering, yet most people know very little about this speech disorder. Stuttering may also be referred to as 'stammering', or as a broader term, 'disfluent speech'. Stuttering is a speech disorder in which the sounds and syllables spoken may be prolonged or repeated, disrupting the regular flow of speech....