Getting Help
Welcome to the place where STRONG young people visit! We know that growing up today isn’t always easy. Sometimes you just need to talk it out. Getting help is Strong and we ALL need help sometimes. Don’t fall for the line that asking for help is "weak." Instead, Stand for Something Strong!
When we hurt inside, it’s easy to hide our feelings. You might even feel
like there’s no one to talk to and no one who cares. THAT’S NOT TRUE! …
but YOU need to take the first step by asking the question: "Can someone
help me?" Listening to your feelings is the best way to know if you
need help. On this page, you’ll find numbers and good connections to people
who care and want to listen to you. These are people you can trust. You
don’t even need to tell them your name unless you want to.
False Messages
Don’t Believe the FALSE Messages that Say:
- "You should be able to handle things yourself."
- "You shouldn’t ‘bother’ others with your problems or your troubles."
- "You can’t trust other people."
Be Sure to ASK for HELP When:
- You or someone you know is being hurt or is talking about hurting someone
else.
- Just being you seems too difficult.
- Someone is pressuring you to act in an unhealthy way or to break the law.
- Someone touches you in a way that is uncomfortable or abusive to you.
Message from Azim & Ples
"All of us at TKF want you to know
that we love you and care for you very much. Don’t forget there are caring
and trustworthy people like us all around you – maybe a parent, a friend’s
parent, a trusted teacher, counselor or nurse at school, a relative, a coach,
etc. You’re not alone, even if it feels that way sometimes." –
Azim Khamisa (Tariq’s dad) & Ples Felix (Tony’s grandfather)
Phone Numbers to Call
For a safe place to talk to someone about the problems in your life:
- NATIONAL TEEN HOTLINE: 1-800-999-9999
- YOUTH-2-YOUTH HELPLINE: 1-800-729-6686
(for Spanish): 1-877-767-8432
To talk to another San Diego Teen, if you or a friend feel really sad about life:
- SAN DIEGO CRISIS TEAM HOTLINE: 1-800-479-3339 (24 hours/7 days)
To talk to someone about problems, drugs, relationships, parents,
and more. It's private too!:
- THE ANTI-DRUG: 1-800-HIT-HOME (448-4663)
To talk to someone if you or a friend are thinking about running
away:
- YOUTH IN CRISIS RUNAWAYS: 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929)
- NATIONAL RUNAWAY HOTLINE: 1-800-621-4000
To talk to someone if you or a friend are thinking about hurting
themselves or others:
NATIONAL HOPELINE: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
To report any crimes or suspicious actions:
- Contact your local POLICE DEPARTMENT
- 911 for emergencies
If you want to talk to someone about rape, assault, or physical
violence, or to report abuse:
NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
For help with drug or alcohol problems:
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: 1-800-479-0062
Helpful Websites
Anti-Drug
www.freevibe.com
-gives stories, facts, and what you should know about the risks and signs
when using drugs.
Anti-Violence
www.tolerance.org
-promotes anti-violence, learn how to stop hate
Girl Power
www.girlpower.gov
-website made just for girls.
Students Actively Volunteering for You (SAVY)
www.volunteersandiego.org
-teaching youth how to make a difference
The Truth
www.thetruth.com
-gives info on what smoking does to the body