Being a teenager is hard.

You're under stress to be liked, do well in school, get along with your family and make big decisions. You can't avoid most of these pressures, and worrying about them is normal.

But feeling very sad, hopeless or worthless could be warning signs of a mental health problem.

Mental health problems are real, painful and sometimes severe.

You might need help if you have the signs mentioned above, or if you: •Often feel very angry or very worried •Feel grief for a long time after a loss or death•Think your mind is controlled or out of control•Use alcohol or drugs•Exercise, diet and/or binge-eat obsessively •Hurt other people or destroy property •Do reckless things that could harm you or others

Pride and denial can often get in our way of accepting that we have a problem. Mental health problems can be treated. To find help, talk to your parents. If that is not an option for you, a school faculty or counselor who cares will take your call 24 hours a day.

Stand up for yourself, pick up the phone, and make a call.Jon Corippo, teacher 676-1935Claudia vanDenbergh, counselor 960-3603Chelsea Milloirn, teacher 994-5848Dustin Ginter, school nurse 760-2279Jolinda Thomas, counselor 641-6321

Or, here are several other places to call: 24-hour phone lines (888) 275-9779 Emergency psychiatric services 673-3508 Madera County Behavioral Health Services 673-3508 Screening and referral for mental health 675-7850 Screening and referral for substance abuse 673-3508 TTY for hearing impaired 800-735-2922 Madera County Sherriff’s Headquarters 675-7770 or 9-1-1