“Where can I go when I need help?” – you

This Friday I want to give advice to all our readers. I am going to introduce you to some resources so that you don’t have to feel helpless when you or someone you know is struggling. The following includes some common problems, along with some organizations where you can find help any time:

Self-injury (cutting)
Door of Hope: This organization offers free counseling (online or by phone) by certified Christian counselors for teen girls or young women.
ASHIC (American Self-Harm Information Clearinghouse): Here you can find a variety of resources and information about self-inury. (more…)

Dear BJ,

I think my friend might be depressed but I’m not sure. He cries a lot and acts tired all the time. Should I be worried about it, or is he just going through drama?

- Worried (more…)

Hey everybody!

Over the past couple of years we’ve gotten a lot of questions from you guys. Questions about relationships, self-injury, sex, suicide — you name it. Each time we hear from you, we remember why this site is here — because of awesome people like you.

So we just want to remind you that if you have a question, we’d love to hear from you. No topic is off-limits. We would also love to share your question on the site, but you can tell us if you’d rather that we didn’t (we will never share your real name).

So go ahead and unload your problems in the contact box or email us at realteenfaith at gmail.com. Just put “advice” in the subject line.

Drop by every Friday to check out this new feature! Until then, we’re looking forward to your questions!

Halee, BJ, and E.

PS – We’re especially looking for your relationship questions for February!

I sat with a group of teens and we talked about the issue of violence.

QUESTION: A lot of adults are concerned about violence. If you could tell them what the real issues of violence was about, what would you say?

Tony: If I see a violent movie, it doesn’t make me want to kill someone. I’m used to watching these movies. But for me, we don’t seem to talk about what really matters. Like, if I ever thought about suicide, I wish that I could have that conversation with my family. Because if you are feeling that way, you want to talk about what’s really going on, you know, underneath.

Rachel: I need a safe place to go. I need to feel accepted. If you don’t, then you feel like hurting yourself.

After talking for about a half-hour they confirmed what I believed all along. The issue of violence isn’t as much about the pretend world, as it is about real-life issues like: (more…)

Do Hard Things?

by Maddee Schrader, RTF Staff Writer

She fidgeted, twitching a French fry between her fingers. Juan and Kara were seated behind her. Most people would not hear their conversation, or care. But she inherited good hearing from her mother. It was genetic, so how was the guilt she felt her fault?

Kara sighed, the sound fighting for rights in the chatter of the cafeteria. “I don’t know anymore. Why shouldn’t I?”

Juan took a moment to answer. “You still have your mom.”

Kara snorted. “Yeah, in all her Walgreens-employee glory.”

“She’s still someone.”

“Yeah? Barely.” (more…)