Why are you here?

[The.adorable.1]

I like to ask people why they are here. So, why are you here? Why did you join this website?

I'm here because I used to cut, and I'm suicidal. I guess also cause my parents are worried bout me

[MadPoet]

I first came because I was feeling depressed, and now I just like helping people, and occasionally asking for advice myself...and I just don't know how to leave. So I guess it's a combination of those things.

[TheMouseThatAteTheCat]

I came for help for myself though I don't think i'll get it because I don't want to ask and I came to help others. Also for something to do and meet friends. Plus, it seemed like a good place so I thought why not?

[Apple Of Your Eye]

I am here for myself and more for others. Helping others makes me happy which helps me through my depression.

[LiveLongAndProsper]

I joined because I was feeling suicidal and felt like I had nowhere left to turn.

[Dr.Bobby]

I'm here b/c of temporary insanity....

Actually, I had a patient a while back who reported that this place was a great help to him, so I decided to check it out. After seeing what it offers and can do for people, I decided to contribute. Hoping that my perspective can be helpful!

[PSY]

I visited TeenHelp because I was looking for a good online community that I could tell other people about (I used to be an administrator on another website, and there were quite a few people dealing with mental health issues). I knew there was something special about this place after viewing the forums, so I decided to join and contribute advice during my summer break. One thing led to another, and now I'm serving multiple staff roles and will be celebrating my TeenHelp three year anniversary on June 11th! =) 99.9% of the time, I am here to help people. 0.1% of the time, I actually turn to others for support and advice.

[Koharuchan]

I originally came here because I was having a tough problem and needed advice. I left for some time after the problem was solved, but something just drew me back after a few months away. I found myslef coming back more and more, and this place became a huge part of my daily routine. Now I'm on staff, and I stay because I want to help people as much as I can and I never want to leave here again.

[Disappearing]

I looked up the butterfly project, and a link to a TH page popped up. I started reading the forums, and decided to join.

[ven]

Hi im here cos i have a mental illness and to find some help i guess

[MedusoidMycelium]

Same reason as many of the others - depression, self harm, etc. I joined when I was 16 in the year 2006 after being physically assaulted I was also dealing with family problems and personal problems. I honestly think if I had not found this site when I did, I may not be here now. This site has and still is a lifeline for me. I also have found that this is one of most caring and non judge-mental online communities on the internet. This site would not be the place it is without all the people on here. To sum TH up ? One big caring family.

[Don'tForget]

I came because of my depression, SH, and suicidal thoughts. Mostly now i just try to help people and make friends.

[Magical Forest.]

I came here because I was struggling with self harm and suicidal thoughts.
I was about 14 when I originally joined, but wasn't very active and created this account in early 2008 I believe (annoying that I can't remember exactly, but that was before the reset)

Now i'm here to talk to new people, get advice, give advice, and just generally be a part of the TH community!

[Spectrum]

I joined because I liked the atmosphere and how welcoming the members were. I was referred by my sister. I wanted help with anxiety issues.

I have decided to stick around mainly because of the people here. I have made a few really great friends here. Obviously, another reason I'm still here is because I'm on staff here, a role I greatly enjoy

[George^^]

I knew about TH before I joined, like, a full year before I joined. I was on it once or twice as a guest, I guess.

The first time I've ever remember finding TH was when I was feeling horrible about my body image, but I got over it.

The actual reason I joined? Being LGBT, questioning trans, questioning FTM, not feeling like I belonged fully in either trans or cis, and sometimes depressive... - A whole lot better now ;D

[Alto.]

I joined when I was 12 and in the seventh grade, the main reason I joined was because I wanted to start cutting again and had no one to turn to for help. Another major reason that I joined was because I had felt suicidal for a little over a year when I first joined. Since I joined TH, I started cutting again, my self-mutilation has had its ups and downs, and thankfully right now I can say it's a down time. =) In the past year I've developed what may or may not be an eating disorder and it has gotten to the point where it is out of my control.

But the main reason I'm still here is because of all the fantastic people I've met and how heartbroken I'd be if I couldn't talk to them. ♥

[Darth Vader]

Honestly, I originally joined because I had a few sex questions I also started dealing with some major relationship problems which eventually became abuse, so this site provided the support system I needed. I also have SH & ED issues, so the awesome people here help me with that as well. Then of course, I like socializing with people here.

[Sequin]

To learn empathy.

[better-than-ecstasy]

Because I'm messed up and I have a wonderful cousin that helped me find this place!

[Excelsior]

Well I joined up not planning to stay, but decided I could potentially reach out to people about things I Wasn't sure about. There wasn't anything in particular but I found the site helpful and decided to stay.

[Tyr.]

I'm here for the women.

- Tyr

[Henry Tyrell]

I'd like to gain support and knowledge required for my eventual transition into manhood.

Also Maeve made me.

[jhellsmith]

I am here because i really enjoyed sharing ideas and knowledge to others, i love to learn new things and help others as well. I love joining different forum.

[Coexist.]

I found this site through the To Write Love on her Arms affiliates, I was dealing with SH and ED issues, and was basically completely closeted about it. This website gave me one place where I didn't have to hide, and I could be honest that I was suffering. Today, i'm a bit more open about my insecurities, but this site still serves as my safety blanket.

[Syzygy.]

I'm here because apparently I'm not allowed to leave.
I first joined for the same reasons a lot of people do - dealing with some issues and looking for some help. I got some support, went away for a while, came back, joined staff, and have been addicted ever since.

[Masquerade.]

I stumbled across it when I was looking for SH support online. I didn't really have any intention of staying, but I'm addicted now. I'm still here because of the people and the fact that it's the one place I don't have to hide.

[FixYou♥]

I am here because I am a cutter, burner, i have been anorexic, i have insomnia, depression, suicidal thoughts, ADD, anxiety, I'm bisexual, and I just need someone to talk to. someone who understands.
this is a lot for a fourteen year old girl. my life is falling into insanity and despair.

[MD8]

I am here to help people, but most importantly to open my eyes and gain knowledge.

[Skeleton]

A forum I used had a link to TH so I decided to check it out and see what it was like and I thought it looked like a good place, so I joined and I've been here every since. It has been many, many years now and I'm still here.

[αγάπη]

I was looking for articles about Trichotillomania when I stumbled upon TH. I looked around as a guest for some time, and when I finally got my laptop, I joined. I'm here for various reasons, two being SH and Trich.
I tried to leave once, but I'm too addicted.

[YOLO ♥]

I was looking for SH support online and found TH.
And now I absolutely adore this site!

[Tigerlily.]

I originally came here because my life was falling apart around me, but then I realized how much better helping others and well it became my main reason to be here And I wouldn't want it any other way, this place and the people here really helped me through a lot and still do.

[i_like_black]

Waaaay back at the beginning of 2006, I decided to stop SH and wanted some support - TH was the first site that popped up from whatever it was I googled. I had a look around, I joined. It's like a bad habit. Before the reset there was an arcade, I spent so much time in the arcade - I was also on staff for a while before the reset.

After the reset it was a while before I came back. Something to do with not wanting my partner (now ex) to know about it. But TH is like a bad habit . . . you just keep coming back to it

I can't help myself . . . I have to sign onto TH at least every other day.

[chickenonsteroids]

I joined because I wanted help with one thing.

Then I stayed helping a few people and debating. It's fun

[Disneygirl94]

I struggle with eating, depression and self harm

[Alergnon]

I was fed up with everything in my life and one day, I basically was googling everything that was relevant to me for getting the help I needed. I was sick of how I was feeling and needed a outlet to vent and seek help. I was very angry at myself and everything around me, and my anger found me here. I am glad that I did find this web site.