Annie (AKA Hey Terra!) has been around long enough to have experienced a lot of what Life can dish out. But, it hasn’t been so long that she's forgotten what it's like to be your age. Check out some of the thousands of email questions teens from around the world have sent to Terra. You may learn something useful from her answers:
“I've been thinking about suicide.”
(Continued)
Hey Terra,
Today I got really mad at my mom. All she did was bitch at me. I tried to talk to her but she ignored me. Then I got mad as hell. I got up grabbed a knife then I began to cut my wrist. I left a scar. Now that I think about it, I know it was really stupid, but I couldn't help it. I don't know why but it makes me feel a little bit better. I will try to call the number you gave me, I don't like talking to people about my problems -- I prefer writing it out, but I'll call.Crazed
Dear Crazed,
I understand that it's hard for you to talk to people about your problems. But you are strong enough and brave enough to do it. The people who counsel on the phone are very cool and very understanding. You can trust them to listen and treat you with respect.
Call 1-800-999-9999 or this youth crisis hotline at 1-800-448-4663. They will pick up 24/7.
This is a way that you can love and honor yourself.
Make the call.
I care about you.
In friendship,
Terra
Need some advice? Write to Terra.
She'll give you a straight answer you can trust without any lectures.