The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
A Flin Flon resident has placed third in her grade category in a recent Manitoba Teen Touch essay contest. Holy Bryson, who is going into grade 10 this fall at Hapnot Collegiate, placed third in the Grades 9 - 10 category in the province wide contest. First and second place went to Winnipeg students. Gordon Alvare, spokesperson for Teen Touch in Winnipeg, said the essay contest was held to promote Teen Touch, a helpline phone service offered to all Manitobans. Anyone can phone the Teen Touch number (1-800-563-8336), talk about any subject, and remain anonymous as the phone call will not be printed on their phone bill. Alvare said there were about 200 entries in this year's contest, with three categories of age groups. Holly won $25 for her efforts. The essay question was: "What is the #1 problem faced by young people today and can Teen Touch help?" The Light at the End of the Tunnel Written by Holly Bryson How often have you heard an adult say, "You have it so easy! You are so lucky to be a kid. No responsibilities, no worries!" Well, in comparison to the pressure adults face, it may seem that way. As young adolescents, we face huge pressures, pressures which are intense, at times frightening and most of the time unseen. Peer pressure, drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy, suicide, sexuality, bullying, homework, divorce and the uncertainty of what is going to happen next are only a few of the problems facing the youth of today. In an ideal world, there would not be a single person without friends and family to turn to in times of crises. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world; however, we feel the need to be perfect. Statistically everyday, 16 women find themselves pregnant in Manitoba. Instead of trying to pick out what designer T-shirt they should wear, these young women must choose between adoption, abortion or to keep the child and raise it themselves. Astronomical decisions, all which will have a tremendous impact on not only one life but two. These are decisions which are extremely hard even with the full support of family. However, many young girls find themselves faced with the reality that there might not be support, accurate information and/or most importantly, the reassurance that they are not alone. One of the most alarming increases in teen conflict is the internal struggle which is now considered the third leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 24 in Manitoba ? teen suicide. Seventy-one per cent or approximately 44,000 of all 12 and 13 year olds have reported they have thought about suicide. Stress is considered one of the leading contributing factors to teen suicide. The feelings that you are truly alone and no one cares about you become overwhelming; ending your life is the only way out. One of the biggest problems facing youth today is that we feel that we can't be ourselves. The media promotes all these ideas that you must be skinny in order to be pretty. This causes girls to go on crash diets that may lead to serious eating disorders. Guys also seem to be affected in the sense that they have the idea that in order to get girls to like them they must be extremely muscular, so they begin to work out to no end. In some cases even turning to steroids to give them the desired look and effects. Too thin, too fat, too tall, too short, too muscular, not muscular enough, too black, too white ... the list is never ending. In the course of our adolescence, in the period of time that we are all trying to discover who we are, we often lose sight of the goal of finding ourselves. We more or less create new problems instead of eliminating those that were there in the first place. During this time, teens begin to feel the weight of the world coming down solely on them, and it seems that they are the only one who feels this way. In the hard times youth face, when they feel like there is no one to turn to, Teen Touch is there to help lift that weight. All schools, youth centres, and facilities catering to teen activities display the Teen Touch information poster. The call is placed to a toll-free number and will not show up on your phone bill. This respects teens' privacy and ensures confidentiality. They also provide an e-mail service to those wishing to correspond via the Internet. Teen Touch offers unconditional support and understanding 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They provide a safe environment for teens to vent, and the confidentiality builds trust and respect that is needed to help rebuild "you". The Teen Touch support system is run by adults and teens jointly. There they work together to man the lines and provide the listening ears that are lacking in today's lives. There is no matter too small to be heard and none too big to be solved. Teen Touch offers the shoulder to cry on but also the arms to lift you up. There is no doubt these are troubling times. For all the negatives that teens face there are many positives to look forward to. These years are the stepping stones to our futures. We are the future! No one promises that it would be a straight, paved path. For those times when we are faced with having to take a different road, remember that you don't have to go at it alone. Look around you, draw on those closest to you and if you are feeling overwhelmed, pick up the phone and call 1-800-563-8336 because Teen Touch guarantees someone will be there. They can offer the light at the end of the tunnel.
