Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Introduction and Hotlines

When I first became a volunteer listener with 7cups I remember wishing there were more available resources for the wide array of issues people are seeking support for. So I decided to take on this task myself. I hope people will use this as a reliable resource location, as well as to educate themselves on topics they may not know much about. For those of you unfamiliar with the site, 7cups is an amazing free online emotional support service that you can check out HERE.

Teens! It sucks to feel like none of these resources are for you. THIS post has all the teen-specific resources in one place organized by topic so you don't need to sift through all the 18+ only resources.

Some resources have an (7), (T), or an (L) in front of them. The 7 represents that the link will bring you to a page in the 7cups forums. The T is for teen specific resources. The L indicates that this is a resource for 7cups listeners to use.

Listeners! If you are looking to improve your ability to help with specific topics, look HERE. If you need resources that you're not finding here, take a look at THIS post. If there's something you think this blog needs, PM me. I am always looking to update the blog. If you've made a suggestion and haven't heard back about it, check HERE. Thank you :)


I’m going to start this off with resources you might need to find quickly.

7Cups Listeners: Keep in mind that these are only for when the member is in immediate need of support.
Please take the time to read my short guide on making sure you're respectful while giving resources HERE. If you are giving out a crisis resource, this means they, or someone they know, are currently in danger of being hurt, hurting themselves in a lethal way, or otherwise afraid for their immediate safety. If a member says that something is ABOUT to happen or is CURRENTLY happening that meets those criteria, immediately give them one of these hotlines and do what you can to provide additional support. If a member tells you a situation meeting those criteria may happen soon, ask them if they would like one of these lines as well as looking for other resources to help them down below. Do not end a chat unless the member is violating the terms of seven cups. If you feel that you are not well suited to deal with their issue, please refer them to another listener before disconnecting.
I encourage you to take a look at the suicide prevention section of this site HERE


Child Abuse

  • 1-800-422-4453
Dating abuse and domestic violence
  • 1-866-331-9474
Human Trafficking
  • 1-888-373-7888
LGBTQ+ Crisis support
  • 866-488-7386
Poison Control
  •  1-800 222-1222
RAINN: Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
  • 1-866-331-9474
Runaways
  • 1-800-786-2929
Substance Abuse
  • 1-800-262-2463
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
  • 1-800-273-8255
Veterans Crisis support
  • 1-800-273-8255
Youth Crisis Hotline
  •  1-800-448-4663
       If your someone is experiencing an overdose or is witnessing an overdose, you can walk them through proper action to take which I go over HERE

"The worst thing you can do to a person with an invisible illne
ss is make them feel like they need to prove how sick they are."  Unknown

Abusive Situations

"So many people suffer from abuse, and suffer alone." – Pamela Stephenson

ALL abusive situations are very complex and hard to get out of. The links below are for support with the more common questions. Of course there is SO much more support needed than just what is below. If you don’t see the resource you’re looking for, Domesticshelters.org has resources for every question anyone could have. Please look around their site.

If you need resources for parenting an abused child or parenting after being abused, look HERE.

A resource compilation for recovering abusers is in progress.


  • Resources for those with abusive families
  • Resources for those wondering if their family is abusive
  • Resources for those concerned about someone else
  • Understanding what abuse looks like
  • Resources for those in abusive relationships
  • Resources for those wondering if they’re in an abusive relationship
  • Resources for those worried about someone else
  • Understanding abuse
- About abused men


  • Resources for those being abused by authority figures
- (T) Abusive teachers
- Abusive teachers
- Abusive bosses
- Sexually abusive bosses
- Abusive Therapists


Elder Abuse
  • Resources for those looking to report elder abuse

  • Resources for those wondering if they are witnessing abuse

  • Resources for those wondering what elder abuse means

Addiction

“There'a a phrase, "the elephant in the living room", which purports to describe what it's like to live with a drug addict, an alcoholic, an abuser. People outside such relationships will sometimes ask, "How could you let such a business go on for so many years? Didn't you see the elephant in the living room?" And it's so hard for anyone living in a more normal situation to understand the answer that comes closest to the truth; "I'm sorry, but it was there when I moved in. I didn't know it was an elephant; I thought it was part of the furniture." There comes an aha-moment for some folks - the lucky ones - when they suddenly recognize the difference.” – Stephen King

This site has a sibling site which educates people on types of substances and drug safety. You can find it HERE.




Drugs and alcohol
  • Support for Addicts
  • Support for those concerned about addiction
  • Support for those worried about someone else
  • Understanding addiction


Gambling
  • Support for Addicts
  • Support for those concerned about addiction
  • Support for those worried about someone else


  • Understanding addiction

Sex related addiction
  • Support for Addicts
  • Support for those concerned about sex addiction
  • Support for those worried about someone else
  • Understanding addiction


ADD/ADHD

"All things are difficult before they become easy." – Saadi
  • Resources for those struggling with ADD/ADHD
Support

  • Resources for those wondering if they're struggling with ADD/ADHD
Symptoms

  • Resources for parents of children with ADD/ADHD
- Is my child just hyperactive or is it more?
- Understanding ADD/ADHD
- How to help your child
- Parenting a child with ADD/ADHD/

  • Resources for understanding ADD/ADHD
- All about ADD/ADHD
- ADD vs ADHD

Anxiety

"If you don't think your anxiety, depression, sadness and stress impact your physical health, think again. All of these emotions trigger chemical reactions in your body, which can lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system. Learn how to cope, sweet friend. There will always be dark days" – Kris Carr

For those looking for panic attack specific support, look HERE

  • Support for those struggling with anxiety 
Anxiety support
- (7) Breathing exercises
- (7) Grounding
- Self-care
- Treatment options
- Communicating with loved ones about your anxiety
- Parenting with anxiety

  • Support for those wondering if they have anxiety 
Do I have anxiety?

  • Support for those concerned about someone else 
How to help your child with their anxiety disorder
Supporting a loved one with anxiety
Talking to your child with anxiety


  • Understanding anxiety 
- What is anxiety?
- Types of anxiety disorders
- What is misophonia?

Bipolar

"If you know people who are suicidal, or if you know people who are bipolar, depressed, have panic attack disorder, just be there for them. They're going through something that's very, very hard." – Eric Millegan
  • Support for those struggling with bipolar disorder
  • Support for those worried they might be bipolar
  • Support for those worried about someone else
  • About being bipolar

Boundaries and Communication

"I've got a quick mouth, and I set my boundaries. Nothing ever happened that I couldn't handle. Once when a guy came on stage making rude gestures, I hit him over the head with my guitar." – Suzi Quatro
  • Setting boundaries with yourself
- Deciding who you are
- Self-love and self-care
- Boundaries in recovery
- Setting boundaries as an abuse victim
- All about consent

  • Setting boundaries with your partner
- How to set boundaries
- Things to consider
- When boundaries aren't respected
- Communicating effectively

  • Setting boundaries with your family
- Boundaries

  • Setting boundaries in everyday life

Breakups

"Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option." – Mark Twain
  • Support for those who have just been through a breakup
  • When to break up with someone
- When it's time to leave
- When you think your child is in an abusive relationship


  • Support for those just out of an abusive relationship
  • How to help your friend after a breakup
- Supporting your friend