Being a teenager can be stressful with study, family tensions, hormones, a brain that is still developing, the worry of fitting in, boy troubles, self-image issues... did I mention the hormones? Sometimes you feel really fragile and it doesn't take much to send you over the edge. It can be something simple such as tripping over at school in front of everyone. When you're in that fragile place (say you're in the middle of exams, your period is due, your boyfriend had been avoiding you and you are not getting along with your Mum at the moment), your response may be way out of proportion to the event. Sometimes teenagers respond by yelling, swearing, drinking, taking drugs, cutting themselves or even trying to take their lives. When you reach this place, remind yourself that this too will pass. Find a trusted adult to talk to (perhaps a friend's mum) or contact one of the organisations listed below:
​Lifeline: 131 11 44
Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
Suicide Callback Service: 1300 65 94 67
www.kidshelp.com.au
www.reachout.com.au
www.headspace.org.au
www.youthbeyondblue.com

If you need to talk to someone call Lifeline Australia 13 11 14.

If someone has passed out and is breathing but not responding to you, would you know what to do? In young people, this is often due to alcohol poisoning. Once you have the person in the recovery position, ring 000 for an ambulance. Positive Choices has a fact sheet with illustrations or you can watch this short video.

Twelve year old Darci Lynne was recently crowned the winner of America's Got Talent. She asked for a puppet for her tenth birthday as she thought it would help her overcome her shyness.  Darci has since become passionate about ventriloquism and is keen to keep the art alive. The moral of the story? Don't let your limitations stop you from trying - you might just win a million dollars!

These bracelets are easy to make and don't cost much either. You can find out how to make them at http://happyhourprojects.com.

It was reported in our local paper recently that a 19 year old male is facing child sex charges over  offences that occurred several years ago. He met a 14 year old girl online, persuaded her to send him sexually explicit photos of herself, then used them to blackmail her. He told her that he would release the photos unless she met him. She finally agreed to meet him and he sexually abused her. Your teachers and parents aren't paranoid freaks (at least not all the time). This does happen sometimes. There are several lessons we can learn from this unfortunate situation:

1. It's safest not to send explicit photos of yourself to anyone, especially people you have never met;
2. You do not know who you're talking to online - it could be a 50 year old creep;
3. It's not safe to meet up with someone you've met online, especially if you go alone.

Healthy eating is so important if you want to perform at your best - whether it is physical sport or mental gymnastics you are involved in. Nutrition Australia has a healthy eating plan for teenagers. They also have a PDF with the menu and other dietary information for students who are about to sit their final exams. You can find it here.