Teens With Fears

Hello Friends...

This young person is either in the 9th or 10th grade and says that their biggest obstacle is, "The government trying to take me away from my family, my home."

Young people are struggling in classes, in their school, the community and in their homes. I do not know the reasons behind the fear of this young person, but I do know that trying to concentrate in school when these kinds of feelings are taking place is a certain struggle. It can lead to substantial problems.

If you know a teen or young person struggling with peer pressure, suicidal ideation, bullying, depression, grief/loss, relationships, stress/anxiety, substance abuse, alcohol, teen pregnancy or substance abuse, please reach out to the hotline below.

1.877.Youthline
1.877.968.8454

Til next time...

Student Tussles With Peer Pressure

Hello Friends...

Two young people, both 9th and 10th graders describe their battle with peer pressure below.

"My lazyness also the pres[s]ure of not doing my work and hangout with friends instead."

"-i try to hard to be like all my friends and make everyone happy. Sometimes I make bad decisions because my friends did even though I dont think its right but after I regret it because I really want to do anything."

These two young people are battling deeply with peer pressure and it is what I see as I travel throughout the world. No matter what race, gender, or religion, etc., it is difficult for them to make decisions that are not influenced by their peers.

If you know a teen or young person struggling with peer pressure, suicidal ideation, bullying, depression, grief/loss, relationships, stress/anxiety, substance abuse, alcohol, teen pregnancy or substance abuse, please reach out to the hotline below.

1.877.Youthline
1.877.968.8454

Til next time...

"My greatest fear is getting kill."

Good evening friends... As I promised, here is another index card from my travels. This index card comes from a student in New Orleans. "My greatest fear is getting kill. The people I see everyday are dieing and most of them were in gangs. That's wehre I'm at now and it scares me that I have to watch my back everyday and it scares me even more knowing when it comes down to I might have to pull the trigger." Anonymous Til next time...

Good evening friends...

I know it's been a while so I wanted to say hello. I just came back from travelling around the country to learn from America's youth. I met thousands of kids from Boston to New Mexico to Louisiana. I learned many things and have many recommendations. Those recommendations will be issued in a report released at some point soon. I will keep you updated.

Also, I am starting a series. Everyday, I will send out a message a day from a child on my travels. Or. at least I will try. If I miss a day, I will certainly give you two or three at a time to catch up, lol.

So, here we go.

I asked children, youth and young adults throughout our country to write on an index card to tell me their obstacles, challenges, biggest problems, their thoughts or simply that they are having a nice day. It didn't matter. This is some of what they said.

"My biggest obstacle is to graduate and get through college. I think I only have one person who's holding me back which is my boyfriend. I have a fear of loosing my family like you did. I will keep you in my prayers. As I can see by the way you talk about what happen that you are getting through what has happened I don't know you but you really made me cry and I wish the best For you (smiley face)."

Inspiring.

Til next time...