TO ALL

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Not A Fact, But Some Tips: For Cutters

Here are some subs in place of cutting; - Leave or rub ice on your skin. It will numb your skin for a while, then creates a kind of icey burn leaving your skin pink. - Get a red inked pen or red marker and leave marks on where you usually cut. - Rubber bands or hair bows are really good to leave on your arms or legs so when you feel the urge, you snap it on your skin. - Get some glue, rub it on your skin and when it looks like skin peeling you take a red marker and rub across it leaving a "scab" on your skin. If you have peeled your scabs before, peel this one and it'll be like peeling a real one. If you don't want to use a marker or pen you can also use paint. It'll still create a fake "scab". - You can always take a hot or a really cold shower, leaving your skin red. - Take up exercise, running or even punching a punching bag. - Or if you want to be creative, write it out whether it's poetry, songs, or just journaling. - You can always take paper and write out why you do it or who causes the action. Burn the paper when you are done or rip it up. - Or listen to music that expresses how you feel. - You can also go on Google to find self-help websites or depression chat rooms or find support groups in your area.

Helplines - Depression/Disorders/Suicide Prevention

These are for anyone who is suffering from depression; http://www.depression-chat-rooms.org/ (This website is a support group, you can choose your country/state and it will show you a(or more) number(s) for you to get help) Depression and Bipolar Support 800-273-TALK (8255) Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week http://www.dbsalliance.org National Hopeline Network 800-SUICIDE (784-2433) Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week http://www.hopeline.com Suicide Hotline Listings by State http://www.suicidehotlines.com Suicide Prevention Services Depression Hotline 630-482-9696 Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week http://www.spsfv.org/hotlines.htm Teen Help Call Toll Free: 1-800-355-8336 Covenant House Nineline Suicide Hotline 800-999-9999 Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week http://www.covenanthouse.org/nineline Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) 1-800-999-9999 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255) Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org Perinatal Depression Hotlines If you need information or help for perinatal depression, you may contact: Evanston Northwestern Healthcare (ENH) Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Postpartum Depression Program 1-866-ENH-MOMS (1-866-364-6667) Area codes that can access the ENH hotline: 312, 630, 708, 773, 815, 847 NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) Help line 1-800-950-NAMI (1-800-950-6264) Postpartum Depression Illinois Alliance 1-847-205-4455 If you are suicidal, you must get help. Don't ever feel like your life isn't worth anything. Because you are WORTH EVERYTHING!

Myths & Facts About The LGBT

(This is complied by Youth Pride Inc.) Lesbian, gay and bisexual people cannot be identified by certain mannerisms or physical characteristics. People who are lesbian, gay or bisexual come in as many different shapes, colors and sizes as do people who are heterosexual. Sexual experiences as a child are not necessarily indicative of one's sexual orientation as an adult. Many lesbian, gay and bisexual people have early heterosexual experiences, but are still lesbian, gay or bisexual; many avowed heterosexuals have had sexual contact with members of their own sex, but are still heterosexual. No one knows what causes sexual orientation. Many lesbian, gay and bisexual people know that they are attracted to members of their own sex at an early age, sometimes as young as 6 or 7 years old. Others learn much later in life, in their 30's, 40's or 50's. Some research indicates that sexual orientation is determined between birth and age 3, but no one is sure what causes particular orientations. Many people accuse lesbian, gay and bisexual people of "flaunting" their sexuality when they talk about their partner, hold hands or kiss one another in public. These are activities that heterosexual couples do all the time. Due to homophobic reactions, some lesbian, gay and bisexual people are actually forced to hide their sexuality in public, not flaunt it. People who are lesbian, gay and bisexual work in all types of jobs and they live in all types of situations. They belong to all ethnic and racial groups. They are members of all religious communities. They exhibit a range of mental and physical capabilities. They are young, middle aged, and old. Sometimes oppression based on sexual orientation escalates into acts of physical violence. In surveys of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, 52-87% have been verbally harassed, 21-27% have been pelted with objects, 13-38% have been chased or followed and 9-24% have been physically assaulted. Most lesbian, gay and bisexual people are comfortable with their own biological sex; they don't regard themselves as members of the opposite sex. Being lesbian, gay or bisexual is not the same as being transgender. The majority of child molesters are heterosexual men, not lesbian, gay or bisexual people. Almost all studies show that over 90% of child molestation is committed by heterosexual men. Homosexuality is not a type of mental illness and cannot be "cured" by psychotherapy. Although homosexuality was once thought to be a mental illness, the American Psychiatric and Psychological Associations no longer consider it to be one. Psychiatric and psychological attempts to "cure" lesbians and gay men have failed to change the sexual orientation of the patient. These "treatments" may help change sexual behavior temporarily but also can create emotional trauma. There is no definable gay “lifestyle”. Similarly, there is no standard heterosexual lifestyle. Some people might like to think that a "normal" adult lifestyle is a heterosexual marriage with two children. Less than 7% of all family units in the U.S. consist of a mother, a father and two children living together. The most accurate generalization might be this: lesbian, gay and bisexual people are different from one another in the same ways that heterosexual people are different from one another.

USA

We have 50 states and yet we only have 9 states that allow the one thing we all long for; marraige. Gay/bi/lesbians don't get to bond themselves with each other in this wonderful commitment. Marragie is more than "I do". It's some thing that brings two people who love each other very much together forever. But there are still 41 states that won't allow them to do so. It's great for those nine, thank you ME, MD, MA, CT, IA, VT, NH, NY, and WA! But the other 41 has several if not hundreds of people who still cannot get married. It's not fair and they need to face the fact that the only way we can truly start loving one another is for all of us to accept each other and create equality. Love is a beautiful thing, shouldn't everyone have a chance to fully live in it? I support 100%, do you? (For more information you can go to www.hrc.org)