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Welcome to the October edition of the TeenHelp Newsletter! Join our mailing list to receive community announcements and events, and our quarterly Newsletter.
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Catch up on what's been happening on TeenHelp below.
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World Mental Health Day
Tuesday October 10 marked World Mental Health Day. For over thirty years this day has been celebrated worldwide as a time to encourage people to learn and share information about mental health, including how it affects our day-to-day lives, how to recognise when it isn't at its best, and how to seek support in order to improve it. To get involved in the conversation, check out this thread in our very own Mental Health forum.
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Halloween-themed games
We have lots of Halloween-themed discussions and games that you can still take part in, from your favourite Halloween candy and Halloween costumes to The Pumpkin Game and I Spy Halloween. Lastly, check out our Halloween resource for more tips and creative ideas to make the spooky season even more exciting.
Pumpkin picking and corn mazes
by Emmie (Arabesque- golfing girl.)
Now that those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are heading into fall we finally have picking pumpkins and corn mazes. Who doesn't love pumpkins and corn mazes? Have you ever gone and picked out your own pumpkins at a pumpkin patch or been to a corn maze before? They don't have to be scary if you don't like that, you can still go and have a lovely time by yourself, with a friend or family member and you can even bring your dog if the venue allows it.
What to wear
When going to pick pumpkins or to corn mazes you will want to wear comfortable clothing and shoes because you are going to be walking for a while. You could wear a hoodie, yoga pants, jeans, tennis shoes, boots, hats, gloves and anything else that is warm and comfortable for you. This way no matter how long you are walking for you are in good clothing and you can still have fun.
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Picking your own pumpkin
Going to the grocery store and getting a pumpkin can be fun because you are choosing one while you are shopping for your groceries and all of the pumpkins look exactly the same. But have you ever just walked around and looked for a pumpkin? Although pumpkin picking places may not be available everywhere, you can Google pumpkin places to see if there are any near you. There are so many different varieties of pumpkins that you can get, they are all different sizes and look different and it is a lot more fun because you get to take your time looking at the pumpkins and you can get that pumpkin that looks lovely. Then when you get home you can carve your pumpkin if you want to, you can paint it or you can have it just sit outside.
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Visiting a corn maze
Corn mazes can be very scary or designed just for fun. No matter what you like you can still have fun. If you don't have this in your area, Google something fun to do and have a lovely time. In a fun corn maze, there are pictures and fun words that you have to find and in the scary ones they have spooky creations to scare you. You can go by yourself or with someone and just have a fun day or night. Remember to tell someone where you are going for your safety and follow all of the venue's rules.
Did you know that it takes over three months to design the corn mazes and none of them are the same? No matter which one you go to in your state or country, they are always changing them up. If you are going to a scary corn maze, make sure you ask them if they are allowed to grab your arm or leg because some places allow this and they tell you up front before buying the tickets. Also, ask if they have an exit in the corn maze if you want to get out right away. Find out the rules and disclaimers so you know what to expect, and no matter which one you are going to, have fun and enjoy the experience.
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Quiet your mind through forest bathing
by Haley (Halcyon)
We all know that being outdoors has a positive effect on our physical and mental well-being. In recent times, forest bathing has gained in popularity, but what is it? Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, originated in Japan and is the practice of being mindful in nature to relax your mind and revitalise your body. Here's how to get started with forest bathing; you can go at different times of the year for a varied experience. If you don't have a forest near you, you can try this in a park or any place in nature.
- Be prepared. Consider what you might need and pack lightly so you're not encumbered with a heavy bag. Bring water and a small snack, wear comfortable clothing and check the weather; depending on the time of year, you might need to apply sunscreen or insect repellent. If you're going to an unfamiliar place, plan the route and consider bringing a friend with you to walk quietly alongside you.
- Set your phone to 'do not disturb'. Tell your friends and family where you are going and for how long, not only so you're not distracted but for security reasons as well.
- Go slowly. To gain the most out of this practice, set aside enough time so you can take your time and go slowly at a comfortable pace. You don't need to cover much distance and there is no time limit. Some like to set aside two hours for this experience, but do what feels right for you as even fifteen minutes in nature can be beneficial.
- Use your senses. You may wish to focus on one of your senses or as many as you feel comfortable with to awaken your awareness. Depending on your experience, you may be able to listen to the birdsong and the sound of your movement, breathe in the smells of the forest, observe the different shades of colours, touch the bark of a tree and notice how the breeze feels on your skin. There is no right or wrong way, connect with nature in a way that feels best for you.
- Rest for a while. When you feel like it, find a quiet spot to rest. Sit on the ground if you can, or on a bench, as being on another level offers a different perspective. It's okay if your mind wanders, it's perfectly natural, just take a few deep breaths and bring your focus back to the forest or your surroundings. When you feel rested, you can choose to continue the experience or head back home.
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Book: How to Be a Person:
65 Hugely Useful, Super-Important Skills to Learn before You're Grown Up
by Catherine Newman
Genre: Nonfiction, Personal Growth
Target audience: Tweens and early teens
Although the title may be off-putting, this book is a light-hearted guide to learning essential life skills from house cleaning, basic cooking and taking care of houseplants to money management and how to stick up for someone. This book is full of easy to follow, useful and practical how-to advice for everyone growing up.
Book: Hey, Kiddo:
How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Mental Health
Trigger Warnings: Abandonment; addiction; alcoholism; cursing; death; drug use; overdose; unhealthy activities
Target audience: 14+
A dark and sad story about a boy growing up with a mother battling addiction, a father who is uninvolved and so is raised by his grandparents. Jarrett has a complicated childhood but manages to find an outlet through art. Although the subject matter is depressing and there are hard hitting topics, it's also a powerful story of resilience, rising above unfortunate circumstances and achieving one's dreams through adversity.
Movies: If you're in the mood for a movie this spooky season, read our movie recommendations.
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December
We have lots of holiday games coming up, as well as other events to look forward to - watch out for our falling snowflakes and our Volunteer of the Year Award at the end of the month.
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Would you like to get involved?
TeenHelp is run entirely by volunteers who give their time and experience to make everything we do happen! We are always looking for new volunteers to help out, in roles ranging from mentoring to writing. If you have a few hours a week to spare then why not give it a go, your contribution could make a massive difference to TeenHelp and the young people we support on a daily basis.
http://www.teenhelp.org/volunteer/
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