Abbie Miller
By RTF Editor Bekah Hamrick Martin
Some of you know my story.
Shame.
Loss.
Depression.
Worthlessness.
By Guest Writer Patricia Chandler
What Do u do when u feel like this
Suicidal thoughts
Urges to cut
Feeling alone (more…)
By RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick
The scar on your arm
Is only a clue
Of the scar inside
That once terrified you
The fear is gone
The scar remains
A reminder of loss
And the power of pain
Love is a man
With a scar on His arm
It runs deep like yours
He understands harm
The scar on His arm
Is only a clue
Of the scar inside
That He bears for you
****
I wrote this several years ago for a friend when he told me he struggled with cutting himself.
At the time I didn’t tell him that I understood how he felt… I couldn’t even admit to myself that I struggled with self-harm.
Eventually the day came when I was ready to ask for help…
If I knew where he was today, I would tell my friend — you are not alone, and you can be free from this.
I know.
Your journey starts with finding a safe place to be vulnerable…
Contact me or Halee at realteenfaith[at]gmail[dot]com for more information.
Advice from RTF Founder Suzie Eller
A comment on the RTF site:
Well, I just found out my daughter had been cutting herself and i am soo scared she means the world to me and I thought our relationship was good but in reality now I think she hates me, she had in the last month read the book the virgin suicides I was freaking out today checked it out the plot and dont know what to do it has homcoming in it and Im scared shes not herself these days made crazy alegations against me I am really strict and I really dont know what to do. (more…)
I am 15 years old. My dad is strange, to say the least. He’s sexually hurt others. He has had a ankle bracelet on for a while and just recently had it removed. My mother divorced him and we live with her.
The problem is that my mom works really long hours. I babysit my siblings and mow lawns to make extra money. Everyday, she comes home yelling and screaming. She will tell my siblings to clean house and me to do dishes and other chores. I will usually do my chores, but if the siblings don’t pick up their toys, we ALL get yelled at.
If I make a mistake, she says I’m like my dad.
I’ve attempted to cut myself, but haven’t had the nerve. I backtalked and got grounded for almost a month. My siblings do much worse and get away with it.
I have a boyfriend who is 16. We have been going out for over 7 months and my mother hates him.
I do admit I have an attitude, but I’m 15 for God’s sake! Almost all teen rebel and act like that around this time!
I was told by my friends that if I record her saying “If you don’t like it here, then you can leave” on tape, then I can actually leave and it would be ok because she TOLD me to leave. Is that true?
Is there any way that I can get away from her without going to live with my dad or changing schools?
N, age 15
Debra Weiss interviews Laura Farrar
Laura Farrar is part of a courageous generation determined to reach out and do something about the problems they see in the world around them.
Because Laura Farrar has struggled with eating disorders, depression, and self-injury, she understands the pain and secrecy they bring. Discontent to just talk about these issues, Laura is determined to do something.
In 2008, Laura started the Dancing in the Rain Foundation. Through her organization, Laura hopes to start a shelter for hurting teens where her organization can offer crisis and intervention services to hurting adolescents so that they may experience God’s mercy and love while receiving the help they need.
Debra Weiss: First of all, Laura, it’s great to have you here at Real Teen Faith. I loved the name of your organization, Dancing in the Rain Foundation, as soon as I heard it. What’s the story behind the name?
Laura Farrar: Thanks, Debbie for having me! Our name was inspired by a few quotes I’ve heard over the years. One of those is “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” That’s the heart of what we believe in. The storms of life bring rain and hardship to our lives, but there is hope–we can learn to dance, cope, thrive and heal even in the midst of the pain. (more…)
Hi. I am 13, I live with my parents and my grandmother. I don’t know what made me cut, but now I cut every day. 10-20 small clean cuts all over my body and several deep and long. I am an excellent hider, and can hide my emotions from time to time, but one day I just couldn’t stand anyone to control me. I hate studying and I cry because of it a lot. I am searching for info not because I want to stop, but to know for sure I can stop.
Knowing how to self-heal myself is even better. I have always been a deep thinker. I wanted to get to know my self better, and actually now I have two lives. One in school, by my parents and family. And the other when I am alone. I usually don’t know what makes me cry, but after a minute crying isn’t enough. Help me by telling me how I can stop (but i will not do it) and that I can stop. Help me pls. P.S.my family doesn’t know, my bestfriend knows and is forcing me to stop. ~ Patricia
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…)