Seeking a helping had

Sarah Barry, a senior at South Mecklenburg High, admits the stresses of being a teenager can sometimes be overwhelming.

She said she also sees her friends battle the demands of juggling classwork, a social life and extra curricular activities. Often, they feel alone and "don’t realize how many people out here care about them," Sarah said.

“If teens don’t start learning how to make good decisions ... now, they will struggle with those decisions when they are older. Making unhealthy decisions now can also have major implications on their lives down the road," Sarah says.

It's important to realize that asking for help is OK and realizing even the seemingly most composed individuals need a hand sometimes - we all do.

With the help of Teen Health Connection's Teen Advisory Board, and members of the Youth Expressions Summit, I have compiled a list of resources for teens that may need a helping hand.

Girl Talk

info@girltalkfoundationinc.com

Teens Taking Action

www.plannedparenthood.org.

ASPIRE

www.facebook.com/pages/Aspire-Youth-Leadership-and-Development-Program.

Teen Help Card:

Abuse/Emergency Housing:

Child Protective Services.....704-336-2273*

Rape Crisis.....704-375-9900*

Shelter for Battered Women.....704-332-2513*

The Relatives (Youth Crisis Shelter)....704-377-0602*

Counseling and Support:

Behavioral Health Center.....704-444-2400*

Kindermourn.....704-376-2580

Mobile Crisis Team.....704-566-3410*

Rape Crisis.....704-375-9900*

Suicide Hotline.....800-784-2433*

Teen Dating Violence.....704-336-3210

Teen Health Connection.....704-381-8336

Time Out Youth.....704-344-8335

United Family Services.....704-332-9034

Pregnancy and STI Prevention/Support:

Florence Crittenton.....704-372-4663

Mecklenburg County Health Department.....704-336-6500

Planned Parenthood.....704-536-7233

Pregnancy Resource Center.....704-372-5981

Teen Health Connection.....704-381-8336

Health Care:

Center for Disordered Eating.....704-381-4673

Mecklenburg County Health Department.....704-336-6500

Teen Health Connection.....704-381-8336

Academic Resources:

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library.....704-416-0100

Alcohol and Substance Abuse:

AlAteen/Al-Anon.....704-523-1159

Alcoholics Anonymous.....704-332-4387

Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center.....704-376-7447

McLeod Center.....704-332-9001

Narcotics Anonymous.....704-366-8980*

Referral and Information Services:

Center for Prevention Services.....704-375-3784

Gang of One.....704-432-4264*

MeckLINK.....704-336-6404

Support Works.....704-331-9500

United Way Information Dial.....2-1-1

United Way Mobile.....866-744-7778

* denotes 24-hour availability

Photo: Teen Leaders at the Youth Expressions Summit at UNC Charlotte on Nov.19. Todd Sumlin - tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com