This page is a resource for teens.  For those individuals who support teenagers, you may find this page helpful too.  I will make efforts to list relevant information, topics of interest and websites and contacts that are useful for teens.  

Sometimes it just takes a few minutes to gain perspective and a sense of calm...carry my A.N.C.H.O.R. with you everywhere you go.  I hope it holds you and helps you feel like there are quiter waters for a few moments. 

A.N.C.H.O.R.  (a mnemonic grounding technique reminder)

A.        ACKNOWLEDGE feelings without judgment

N.     NOTICE your surroundings

C.     CLENCH your fists; tighten and release tension

H.     HOLD ON  (hold an object, hold the arms of a chair tightly)

O.     OPEN your lungs; become aware of your breath

R.     RESUME activities; REPEATING and REMEMBERING a grounding practice

Kiran L. Milunsky, LICSW, October 19, 2013

 

Suicide and Depression

 

Feelings do not have to become deadly...   W.A.I.T. !!!

W.     WAIT 24 HOURS.  Promise yourself (and maybe someone close to you) that you can delay any dangerous action. 

A.     ANOTHER SOLUTION.  When you are feeling depressed, upset and hurting it is difficult to think creatively and clearly.  You may not be able to solve all of the complicated problems you feel you are facing immediately.  With time and help to break down the problems, solutions will become more clear.

I.     INVOLVE OTHERS.  Don't isolate yourself at difficult times.  Be in a public place, go to a movie, visit the library, be with friends, family, any trusted adult/clergy member, or supportive school group.

T.     THOUGHTS DO NOT MAKE YOU BAD.  Thoughts and feelings are not actions.  Your thoughts about bad things do not have the power to make you bad.   

SLOW DOWN.  breathe.....LET OTHERS HELP YOU FIGURE THIS OUT.

More help and information is available.  Please do not ever worry alone. 

(W.A.I.T. created by Kiran L. Milunsky, LICSW, October 2013, adapted from ideas by Suzanne Barston, Melinda Smith, M.A. and Jeanne Seagal, Ph.D., Teen Depression: A guide for Teenagers. Helpguide.org.  )

Links:

Riverside Trauma Center Resources http://www.riversidetraumacenter.org/resources.html 

Disaster Distress Hotline 1-800-985-5990; txt "Talk with us" to 66746; visit disasterdistress.samhsa.org

Samariteens  1-800-252-TEEN (8336)     3p-9p weekdays; 9a-9p weekends  

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  1-800-273-TALK (8255) 

Teen Depression:  A guide for Teenagers   Helpguide.org  

Teen Dating and Sexual Violence

 NUMBERS TO HAVE:  (note - The City of Newton's Youth Services Resource Guide contains an exhaustive list of Local as well as national hotline and agency phone numbers and resources.  It is easily found as a searchable PDF on the Youth Services webpage on the City of Newton's website.  This guide was produced by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Youth Interagency Task Force)  Many of the resources listed are NOT town specific and will be very helpful for teens from other areas.

REACH hotline 1800-899-4000 and National Dating Abuse Hotline 1-866-331-947

What can teens do? 

Political Action:  A safe and productive way to turn feelings into actions

There are lots of ways to be heard as a teenager.  Frequently it just feels like no one is listening.  Therapy is one way to work out your feeling and thoughts; try lots of them on, work through many things in a safe setting.  In therapy, teenagers can learn that feelings and actions are two different things.  For example, wishing something doesn't make it truly so - for better or for worse.  Sometimes, though,  you really experience feelings in a way that you would like them to translate into action.  When this is the case, politics may be just mechanism.  Teens are perfect for politics because they have strong ideas, can speak well and passionately about them and are interested in making change, not just talking about it.  Teens can be solution driven.  If this sounds like you, you might want to think about getting involved in school or town/city politics.  If you are interested in these issues or in Newton Teen Voice, contact Youth Services Director Jennifer O'Leary, joleary@newtonma.gov