Check out this VLOG from a then-13 year old who just plain gets it … slut shaming sucks, and we need to cut it out!  Thanks, astorice.

Check this out: www.thatsnotcool.com

Did you look at it? Good. It’s a pretty neat campaign that is working to educate youth on digital and technological boundaries in a goofy, fun way. Call me dorky, but I really enjoyed some of it. I think it is a good resource to have, and suggest you check it out. They handle difficult issues in a disarming way. Talking about things like sexting isn’t scary when it’s sock puppets talking about it. ;)

My personal favorites are the Callout Cards they make. Take a look at a few examples below.  You’ll see what I mean; it’s not so scary to talk about important issues of privacy when they’re presented in a funny way (and with cute puppy pictures!).

Anyway, check it out. It’s pretty nifty :)

Peace,

Mara

Attention Douglas County Teens:

Join us for Tsunali: Teens Talking to Teens’ first ever drop-in session on Thursday, May 17th. Come watch a movie, eat some FREE FOOD, hang out with your friends, and meet new people. We’ll be at the United Way Building, 2518 Ridge Court, from 3-5pm.

Tsunali provides a safe space for local teenagers to come be themselves, ask any questions they want, or just hang out with other teenagers and have a good time. And don’t forget that WE NEED WRITERS for our awesome blog. Read previous posts, get inspired, and e-mail tsunaliteens@gmail.com if you have any blog post ideas!

While there are many smart decisions a person can make to avoid trouble, self-defense is probably one of the best precautions to take, because let’s face it—you can’t prevent everything. Self-defense is all about using your head. Most people associate these techniques with
fighting but self-defense in fact is not fighting, but avoiding violence. Experts believe that de-escalating the situation is a better choice than let’s say “karate kicking an attacker in the sensitive area”. Self-defense is also using your common sense. Making sure to know where you are, travel in a group when possible, and always have your cell phone handy.

Now, there is a time for the physical form of self-defense. If none of the other forms of self-defense work, there are a few things you can try. You can surprise the attacker. Often, they know the obvious attacks and going for something different will give you the advantage. Don’t allow the attacker to attack first; you would then have to recover as well as defend. Keeping a close enough distance to keep from allowing them to attack will also be helpful. Remaining calm and keeping your hands up are important.  Also, being confident; understandably, you would be nervous or scared during an attack, but being confident is important to ensure you are putting all your effort into any physical defensive tactics you use.

While this information is all beneficial, it is not all you can do.  For professional techniques such as the throat grab, front over-the-arms bear hug, or any other techniques, you should take a
self-defense class in your area. You can also do more of your own research online for more information. Keeping your mind fresh on this subject by practicing will also make your chances of being alert better in the event of a real situation.

Best Wishes,
Bri

Work Cited: http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/safebasics/self_defense.html#

I don’t mean to be scary or pessimistic, but here’s the reality of the situation:

1 out of 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. That’s roughly 17.7 million women in the United States that have been victims of sexual assault.

17.7 million women were victims of sexual assault. It’s mind blowing to me. That is 17.7 million women that had their lives irrevocably changed forever. Yet society still chooses to turn a blind eye to their plight.

Of course women are not the only ones suffering; 2.78 million American men have been victims of sexual assault, too. Sadly, these victims too often suffer in silence.

My point in sharing all these sad, scary statistics is that I hope you will realize that if you have been sexually assaulted, you’re not alone. You’re in the company of roughly 21 million other people. And if you have not been sexually assaulted then it is my hope that you will not ignore the plight of others.

You can make a difference.

Yours Truly,

Mara

*statistics from RAINN: http://www.rainn.org/get-information/statistics/sexual-assault-victims

We have relationships with a lot of people throughout our lives.  It is important that each relationship is worth keeping. Healthy relationships are often like anything else in life—difficult. They are difficult to find and even more difficult to maintain. Healthy relationships are hard to find and maintain because there are so many variables to them. My goal in this blog post is not to fix your relationship for you; however, give you the tools necessary to build the foundation of a good relationship.

Healthy Relationships Are:

F - Fair
A - Accepting
C - Communicative
T - Trusting
S - Safe

While these are only a few ingredients in the recipe of a relationship, they are the key to giving both people involved a better overall quality of mental health.  Beneficial relationships are all about balance. They are dependent on both you and the other person.  You cannot expect a relationship to be healthy if you are the only person putting in effort. At the same time, no other person is responsible for your happiness.  You should still be able to be happy on your own while wanting to spend time with the other person.

When approaching a relationship ask yourself the following questions.

- Am I communicating effectively?

- Am I remembering to be a forgiving and open-minded person?

- Are my expectations for my relationship reasonable?

- How much do I appreciate this relationship?

- Does the other person do these things?

I hope these insights have given you a better understanding of the qualifications in meeting a good relationship.

Best Wishes,

Bri

When teens decide to have an intimate relationship for the first time together, there is often the assumption that they must continue to pursue this. However, many young adults do not realize that they do not have to consent to having intercourse again if they so choose. When you say “yes”, it applies to that moment alone. The next encounter may include one party who says “no”. While this may be difficult, it is your choice whether to continue an intimate relationship or not. If your partner really cares for you, they will understand your mature decision. Only you can make the right decision for yourself. In this topic, it is critical for one to consider what is best for themselves one moment at a time.

Remember: This is the time to stay within your confort zone.

Best Wishes From Bri