| If you suffer from a mental illness, and eating disorder | | | | or not for profit companies will open help lines for all |
| or an addiction, often the first step to helping yourself is | | | | sorts of reasons. Look in your local phone book to find |
| to realize you have a problem. People will make | | | | out if there is a help line that you can subscribe to. |
| excuses for themselves for a long time before | | | | Mental Health Treatment Centers - If you believe that |
| admitting that their life could be better if they sought | | | | your life is to blame for your inability to heal, then you |
| help. If this sounds like you and you are ready to get | | | | may want to take a psychiatric/mental health retreat. |
| help, here's where to start: | | | | This is a chance for you to get your head straight and |
| Family - Start by talking to your family. They will most | | | | meet others who are trying to do the same thing. |
| definitely take you seriously and begin to process | | | | Clinics - If you have exhausted your other options, it |
| through the possible treatment options with you. Often, | | | | might be time to seek clinical help. There are |
| a person's family turns out to be their greatest support | | | | medications you can try to help you heal faster and |
| system. | | | | more effectively. |
| Youth Groups - Your area might offer youth groups | | | | Hospitals - If at any time you are a danger to yourself |
| where people just like you will go to talk about their | | | | or those around you, you should be admitted to a |
| problems, and share ideas on how to heal. Youth | | | | hospital for a screening. Most hospitals will keep you |
| groups are important because you must realize that | | | | 24 to 72 hours for observation and then tell you what |
| there are many people out there who suffer from | | | | they believe will help you upon leaving. |
| these issues. You shouldn't have to feel alone. | | | | No matter what you suffer from, don't let your |
| Help Lines - If your community doesn't offer youth | | | | disorder or illness take over your life. You must take |
| groups or you don't particularly enjoy the alienation of | | | | the initiative to seek help for yourself to ensure a long |
| talking to strangers about your problems, a help line | | | | and happy life. |
| might be just what you need. Many state organizations | | | | |