Article featured in Avatar - Volume 3, Issue 4 (October 2009). Twenty-two days in October: The Beltway serial sniper by Jessie October 2, 2002. What would later be known as the largest manhunt in United States history began on a cool autumn day in Western Maryland. Barely one year after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, fear still ruled many of our lives. I was an eighth grade student and although I walked just one block to reach my school, I would be driven...

The Scottish independence referendum By Adam (Adam the Fish) On 18th September 2014, Scotland’s citizens voted decisively to reject a split from the three-hundred-year-old union it shared with England in the United Kingdom. With a record turnout and passionate campaigns prior to the referendum on independence from both the “Yes” and “No” (“Better Together”) sides of the argument, the decision was a historic one. Circumstances leading to the referendum Whilst independence is something...

Healthy Dental Tips for Teenagers to Maintain Great Pearly Whites By Sharon Williams (Guest author) It is essential to maintain healthy teeth and gums at any age and teenage years are no exception. Every teen is conscious about their looks as they want to socialize and fit-in easily without having to worry about their appearance. Therefore, they must practice healthy oral habits to maintain healthy teeth that can build their self-esteem and confidence. You can help them achieve that...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) By Chantal (Atropos) My personal experience with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, commonly known as IBS, has been a very difficult learning process. When you are diagnosed by the specializing doctor (a gastroenterologist) a lot of questions are asked and answered. Some struggles most find when learning that they have IBS include diet, exercise, and therapy. People newly diagnosed with IBS might feel anger, fear, hopelessness, and confusion. What is...

25 Things about TeenHelp By Sue (Silvan) and Hollie (Everglow.) Twenty-five years ago, a website called TeenHelp was founded. Since then, the site has become an increasingly popular space for teens from many different countries to come for support, advice, friendship and community. Over the years, TeenHelp has evolved and adapted, but continues to be a safe and inclusive space for anyone who needs it. To celebrate an amazing milestone, here are 25 interesting facts about the site today....

Inexpensive date ideas By Jenna (~Abibliophobe~) When you are in a relationship, or are simply getting to know a special someone, it’s fun to go on dates. However, dates can be expensive. Dinner and a movie can end up costing quite a bit of money and if you are on a tight budget it’s unlikely you’ll be able to do those types of dates very often. Coming up with the money for dates can be really stressful and it can take the pleasure out of dating. This article is going to ...

The basics of going gluten free By Nicole (eumoirous) The Celiac Disease Foundation notes that only about 1% of people have celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disease that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Because of this, people with celiac disease abstain from consuming gluten in order to stay healthy. The Celiac Disease Foundation also notes that roughly 18 million Americans have some form of a gluten...

How to perform a self breast exam By Cassie (Calico.) A breast self exam, or BSE, is an exam that people do regularly to look for any possible changes in their breasts. Mammograms are able to see tumors before they can be felt, but a self exam will allow you to understand the normal appearance and feeling of your breasts. This understanding will help you to determine whether or not there are any abnormalities in your breasts. According to John Hopkins Medical Center, 40% percent of women...

February 14th: Just Another Day By Cheyenne (Come As You Are) Valentine’s Day is the bane of many a single person’s existence. The sudden influx of roses, chocolates and love songs is enough to do anyone’s head in. Many, myself included, argue that Valentine's Day isn’t even a real holiday. It’s an excuse for Hershey’s and Hallmark to charge unreasonable prices for their wares all in the name of romance. As you can probably see, this isn’t an article about what to get your girlfriend for...
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The benefits of group therapy By Dez ( *~Skittlify~* ) In group therapy, people with similar problems meet with a therapist in order to discuss and solve problems in an intimate setting. People are able to give and receive support from one another and share ideas in a safe space. At first, group therapy may seem frightening because it can seem scary to share your feelings with others. However, once you become more comfortable with group therapy it can be a beneficial experience. Group...

Debunking the myths of anxiety By Jenny (coolkid98) There are many misconceptions about anxiety which can make it hard for people with anxiety to reach out and get support and advice. Anxiety is a feeling of nervousness or unease about something which usually has a uncertain outcome, such as a test or social situation. Myth: Anxiety isn't a real mental illness. Fact: Anxiety is a mental condition and according to statistics from the Mental Health Foundation, anxiety is estimated to...

You're Not Alone: Coping with Hyperhidrosis By Katrina (AppleTini) Going through puberty signifies a multitude of changes in our bodies: some appreciated, some not so much. Whether we're okay with the changes or not though, they're happening, and they're things we should be aware of as we stay in tune with the signs our bodies are showing. Our voice may change, our bodies develop physically, and we may begin to feel different emotions. One such change that many of us are acutely aware of,...

Article featured in Avatar - Volume 3, Issue 10 (April 2010). Earthquakes By Casey (Cas*) Earthquake! Wait, what? March was a month full of earthquakes, and now you're telling me that April will be too? Not necessarily, even though the world was shaken up after Haiti, this past month, it still hasn't gotten the chance to settle down. It started in Chile. The first earthquake, 8.8 magnitude, hit February 27th. It was a massive earthquake, that caused Tsunamis to hit Hawaii and that...

Exploring your gender identity By Chess (Narrative.) For most people, their innate sense of gender is consistent with the gender they were assigned at birth – in most cases, either male or female. This is known as being cisgender. Although this is often seen as the default, there is a lot more diversity in terms of gender than many people realise. In recent years there has been an increase in the visibility of gender diverse individuals, and an improvement in general knowledge of...

What to do if you become pregnant By Nicole (eumoirous) Discovering that you are pregnant can be a very scary and overwhelming experience. Many questions may arise and it can be difficult to know which ones to deal with right away. Who do you tell first? What are your options? What will your parents think? The best thing to do is break this up into steps and tackle one thing at a time. Most importantly, remember that no matter what you decide, there are always avenues of support and you...