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Teenage
pregnancy, drug abuse, self-harm and behavioural disorders are just
some of the problems that can effect teenagers.
Teenagers'
problems can be as harrowing as anything facing an adult. In fact
teenagers are often more vulnerable and unable to cope with trauma
and crisis.
Where
can I go for help?
Here
at TiC we know that young people have great potential. The majority
are full of energy, growing up and just want to have fun.
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| TiC
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One
of the biggest problems for teenagers is knowing where to go for
help as parents and teachers can often be (or appear to be) in direct
conflict with them.
Many
organisations and websites have sprung up to help teens but an organisation
in the Forest of Dean has been offering advice and support to teenagers
and their families since 1994.
The
organisation called Teens in Crisis (TiC) aims to relieve
the needs and hardships of young people by providing education,
advice, support and counselling as well as recreational facilities
for young people in crisis.
Tic
works with young people aged 11-21 and their families from 14 different
locations in Gloucestershire.
Confidential
help and support
They
offer confidential help to young people regardless of their background
or the problem they are experiencing. They even have a telephone
helpline you can ring three afternoons a week - 01594 541048.
A member
of staff from Teens in Crisis said: "Here at TiC we know that
young people have great potential. The majority are full of energy,
growing up and just want to have fun.
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Counselling
can help teens deal with problems
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"Our
Action for Youth Initiatives are designed to allow young people
to have fun and be teenagers, to spend time with their friends but
in a safe environment."
Rural
teens
Action
for Youth aims to provide youth work where little or no current
provision exists and has a specific remit for developing projects
in rural areas.
Currently
Tic operates four 'Youth Cafe Projects' all in the Forest of Dean,
Gloucestershire.
- Flaxley:
is open every Tuesday (Mondays during August) from 6.45pm - 8.45pm
at the Old School Rooms. (Opened July 2002)
- Newnham:
is open every Tuesday from 6.45pm - 8.45pm at the Armoury Hall.
(Opened July 2002)
- Mitcheldean:
is open every Thursday from 6.45pm-8.45pm at the Mitcheldean Community
Centre. (Opened Nov 27th 1997)
- Lydbrook:
is open every Thursday from 6.45pm-8.45pm at the Lydbrook Memorial
Hall. (Opened Jan 10th 2002)
Crisis
Prevention
One
of the major concerns for Tic and their Action for Youth initiatives
is to help prevent crisis before it happens by giving young people
and their parents the strategies to cope with problems more effectively
as they arise.
This
can only be done by making teenagers feel safe, valued and by helping
them to build their self-esteem.
Other
organisations that are recommended by teens in Crisis include:
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www.ace-ed.org.uk
- Advisory
Centre for Education. Independent advice centre for parents,
offering information about state education in England and
Wales for 5-16 year olds.
www.bullying.co.uk
- Help
and advice for parents who are tackling bullying.
www.chatdanger.com
- Produced
by Childnet International, a non-profit organisation which
is working with others to help make the internet a great place
for children.
www.edauk.com
- Information
and help on all aspects of eating disorders including Anorexia
Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and related
eating disorders.
www.parentlineplus.org.uk
- Parentline
Plus is a UK registered charity which offers support to anyone
parenting a child.
www.selfharmalliance.org
- The
Self Harm Alliance Website is a national survivor led voluntary
group which supports people affected by self-harm.
www.selfharm.org.uk
- This
website provides information on a wide range of activities
and initiatives that relate to young people and self harm.
www.trashed.co.uk
- Trashed,
also known as 'Ask Frank' is an excellent site that contains
some of the best information and advice available on drugs
in the UK.
www.trichotillomania.co.uk
- An
estimated 10% of the world's population is affected by Trichotillomania
- the impulse control disorder which compels a person to pull
out hair or eyelashes and eyebrows.
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If
you would like to comment on this or any other story in this section
then get in touch at gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk
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Bet
you didn't know that Gloucestershire is home to an amazing organisation
that provides support advice and counselling to troubled teens and
their families.
