Degrassi has brought up some very intense issues and it would be remiss of us not to bring them up here. If you have questions about the issues raised, or are experiencing these issues yourself, hopefully we can lead you to information that might be of help.

If you have been raped, abused, have had unprotected sex, are suicidal or violent, DO NOT SUFFER IN SILENCE. Seek help IMMEDIATELY. Speak to a parent teacher, coach, religious leader or other ADULT you feel comfortable with.

If you are aware of a friend or acquaintance who is dealing with these issues, offer to help. If you know someone who is suicidal, being abused, or violent, SEEK HELP immediately. Paige helped Ellie deal with cutting, Jimmy stood up for Marco, and imagine how things might have been different had someone stood up for Rick.

Throughout this page, you will find numbers for various help lines, numbers you can call any day, at any time for help and support. All help lines are italicized.

Suicide Help Line 1-800-784-2433 (last four digits spell “suicide”)

General Guidance

            Being a teenager is stressful. On top of doing well in school, teens are expected to participate in extracurriculars, be popular, responsible, and somehow deal with relationships, rumours, bullying and a million other things. You’re not alone; everyone was a teenager once.

Teen Advice Online

Teens Health  

The Canadian Health Network 

Degrassi.tv “Guidance Department”

General Crisis Counselling 1-800-785-8111

          Youth Crisis Line 1-800-448-4663

          National Youth Crisis Hotline 800-HIT-HOME

          Kid’s Help Phone (Canada) 1-800-668-6868

Rape

            Hazel was very right. . . if you said no (even just once) it is rape. If you have ever been forced to have sex (ANY kind), seek help. Also, know that boys can be raped.

          Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Resource

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network

RAINN Rape Support Line 1-800-656-HOPE

Sex

As much as adults would like to pretend it doesn’t happen, sex does happen. For the sake of yourself and any future partner, educate yourself. Abstinence is the only way to be 100% safe. If you want to have sex, make sure you are ready, and part of being ready is being educated. SAFE SEX is integral to your health. Know about pregnancy, STDs, HIV/AIDs and the emotional issues that come with having sex. If you can’t discuss condoms with your partner, you aren’t ready to have sex. If you’ve had unprotected sex even ONCE, you could be pregnant or have any number of STDs that have no outward symptoms. Get tested. Be safe.

            Sex, Etc.

            National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

            Sexuality and U

Teen AIDS Line: 800-234-TEEN and 800-440-TEEN

            National AIDS Line 1- 800-342-AIDS

            National STD Hotline 800-227-8922

            Pregnancy Support and Advice 1-888-4-OPTIONS

Alcohol Abuse

Drinking is illegal under the age of 21 in the USA, 19 in Canada, and 18 in most other places. Although some teens do drink, it is perfectly acceptable to say no. Most teen drinking is not healthy. Binge drinking is particularly unhealthy, and has lead to a large number of DEATHS on college campuses. IF you are going to drink, BE RESPONSIBLE.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Alcohol and Teen Drinking

Abuse

Abuse is a very serious issue irregardless of the type: physical, emotional, and sexual or neglect. If you are being abused, seek help immediately.

Kid’s Health: How to Handle Abuse           

Domestic Abuse/ Assault 1-800-333-SAFE

            Child Help USA (Abuse help line) 1-800/4-A-CHILD

            Family Violence Help Line 1-800/222-2000

Mental Health

Craig has bipolar disorder, which is a chemical imbalance in the brain, and something that requires medicine and therapy. There are also a number of other mental illnesses, such as depression, that require medicinal and therapeutic help. Having a mental illness does NOT mean you are crazy, it just means that your brain has trouble regulating hormones, synapses, connections and the like.

Mental Help Net

National Mental Health Association

Family/ Children’s Mental Health line 1-800-654-1247

Cutting

Cutting is VERY SERIOUS. Anyone who cuts needs help to deal with the mental health issues behind the self-abuse.

Eating Disorders

Healthy eating is very important to your health. Anorexia, bulimia, obesity, and other eating/ weight disorders can cause very serious health issues and even cause death. They can affect girls AND boys.

            Eating Disorders Association

            National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

Eating disorders help line 1-800-382-2832

Discrimination

It is illegal in the USA and Canada (and most other nations) to treat someone differently simply based on the colour of their skin, their ethnicity, gender or sexuality. It is simply not acceptable.

For Diversity, Against Racism

Crosspoint Anti-Racism

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Sexuality

Hormones are raging during the teenage years, and if you’re confused about who your hormones are directed at, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to deal with it alone.

Gay Student Center

Sexuality and U

National Teen Gay and Lesbian Hotline 1-800-347-TEEN

School Shootings

75% of school shooters tell someone before they attack. If it can happen at Degrassi, it can happen anywhere. I was in Colorado during the Columbine shootings. Schools should be safe havens, but that doesn’t mean they are. Understand the causes behind school shooting, particularly bullying. Treating someone poorly because they are different is not only cruel, it could be dangerous. Almost every school shooter told someone before it happened; if you know someone who has brought a gun to school (or is planning to) TELL SOMEONE. You might just save a life.

SPEAK UP

Schoolshield.com

Center For the Prevention of School Violence

1-866-SPEAK-UP

Family problems

All families have problems, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with it. If you are having trouble at home, don’t suffer alone. If you are being abused, seek help immediately, preferably with your local child welfare or police department. If you are having trouble dealing with issues such as divorce and mixed families, there are places you can find help.

Stepfamily.net

Center for Young Women’s Health: Dealing with Divorce

Kid’s Health: Divorce