Lifestyle Choices

If feelings become so painful and overwhelming that you feel like harming yourself or others, you need to get help right away. Speak to a parent, an adult or a doctor. Ring the

SOS or teenage helpline for crisis counselling. In the meantime, the following suggestions can offer some solace until you find someone you can talk to:

Many teens who have attempted suicide (and survived) say that they did it because they had mistakenly felt that there was no other solution to the problem they were experiencing. At the time, they could not see another way out — but in truth, there is always a way out, even if they could not see it there and then. No matter how horrible you are feeling now, these emotions can, and will, pass. (more…)

‘My children are very happy as they have lots of friends and interests. They accept things, but would prefer to have their dad with us.’

Jean, 44, doctors’ receptionist/typist

‘I dread Monday mornings more. I often doubt my ability to do my job and have this lurking dread that some catastrophe will expose my shortcomings.’

Christine, 3o, financial controller

‘My older boys have admitted that although they complain about me working, they appreciate my need to do so and respect the fact that it does make me a more interesting person. Jack and Joe have never known anything else.’

Jackie, 36, accounts clerk/estate agent

‘Weekends. You’re supposed to go out and have fun and (a) I can’t afford to; (b) babysitters are a problem; and (c) I like the routine the weekdays give me.’

Wendy, 46, teacher/now a journalist (more…)