Here To Listen - topic

Loss (16 found)

All stories originally appeared in Youth Communication magazines: YCteen, which is written by New York City public high school students, and Represent which is written by and for youth in foster care.

Give Me My Freedom and Privacy

Bella's mom dies, leaving her alone with her mom's abusive partner. When she goes into care, she's sent to a residential facility where she longs for quiet and privacy. (full text)

Medication Didn’t Solve My Sadness

J.G. has a sad life and sometimes acts out in unhealthy ways. She's put on way too much medication, which doesn't feel like a solution. She tries to change her way of looking at things instead. (full text)

The Keys to My Chains

Elvia's mom dies when she's a senior in high school. In despair, she shuts down, but heals with the help of therapy, writing, and caring friends and mentors. (full text)

How to Ditch Bad Habits—and Bad Relationships

A therapist explains how abuse and neglect can lead to isolating behaviors like fighting, cutting, substance abuse as well as more abusive relationships. She also gives practical tips for quitting self-destructive habits. (full text)

Missing My Mom

When Jovani's supportive, loving mother unexpectedly dies, he deals with her painful absence by reflecting on the values and ideas she instilled in him. (full text)

I’m Not Crazy; I Have a Mental Illness

After having suicidal thoughts and cutting herself, V.N. is committed to a psychiatric hospital, but she doesn't think she's crazy. Harming herself seems to help her escape the trauma of sexual abuse. (full text)

Your Brain on Pain: How Neglect Can Change Your Brain

Young adults who weren't taught as children how to handle difficult emotions are more likely to develop mental health issues as adults. (full text)

Your Brain on Pain: How You Process Trauma

Trauma is an experience so upsetting that the mind cannot make sense of it. By learning to tell the story of your trauma through therapy, you can begin to put it behind you. (full text)

Facing My Feelings

Cynthia experiences panic attacks and dissociation, a foggy state where her mind separates from her body. A therapist helps her realize that these are defenses against trauma from the past, which she can now begin to face. (full text)

Betrayed by My Father

For years, V.N. is sexually and physically abused by her father. She goes into foster care, grapples with cutting and suicide attempts, and finds some relief from talk therapy and antidepressants. (full text)

How to Cope With Life’s Losses

Shameeka interviews a psychologist about how teens can deal with loss. (full text)

Flipping the Script

Hattie strives to change her negative ways of thinking. She reminds herself of her good qualities and does things she enjoys. (full text)

Losing My Brother Kareem

Destiny struggles to cope with the death of her best friend—her brother Kareem. She writes about her feelings and tries to be nicer to everyone. (full text)

How My Group Helped Me Fight Depression

The writer finds a supportive community at a day treatment center for depressed teens. (full text)

Opening Up

Natasha connects with her latest therapist in a way she never managed in the past. (full text)

Dealing With Disappointment

Layla turned her life around and made a dance about it. She was chosen to be the soloist in her school’s spring performance, and was crushed when everything got canceled. (full text)

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