Un blog de nuestra lider Alexis Vargas: Abrazos, no Drogas

De acuerdo con la American Academy Child and Adolescent Psychiatrylas, las cinco drogras más utilizados por los adolescentes son la mariguana, medicamentos recetados, éxtasis, inhalantes, cocaína y heroína. Muchos adolescentes empiezan a consumir drogas a una edad muy joven, porque quieren quedar bien delante de sus amigos preocupados de que no podrán ser parte de un circulo de amigos o también puede ser la curiosidad.

Lo que los jóvenes no tienen en mente son las consecuencias de corto y largo plazo que tienen las drogas .La cocaína, restringe el flujo sanguíneo al cerebro, acelera el ritmo cardíaco y causa la coagulación sanguínea, lo que aumenta la posibilidad de sufrir un derrame cerebral o un ataque al corazón. La cocaína también limita la capacidad del cuerpo para combatir infecciones. No sólo eso, pero el usuario también está en mayor riesgo de tener hepatitis, enfermedades de transmisión sexual y VIH / SIDA. La heroína causa colapso de las venas, infección bacteriana de los vasos sanguíneos y las válvulas del corazón.

Algunos adolescentes piensan que la mariguana no es una gran cosa y no afecta el cuerpo. De hecho, genera problemas respiratorios, como tos y sibilancias. También aumenta la posibilidad de resfriados de pecho. El uso intensivo diario de la mariguana afecta las partes del cerebro que controlan la memoria, la atención y el aprendizaje. Por otra parte, aquellos que toman los inhalantes sufren de insuficiencia cardíaca. Los inhalantes también pueden causar asfixia, debilidad muscular, falta de coordinación y puede dañar gravemente los órganos vitales.

Finalmente, una de las razones por cual las drogas recetadas son abusados es ​​por que son fácil de obtener. El uso de drogas prescritas de forma no adecuada pueden llevar a cambios de humor, vómito, disminución de la capacidad de pensar y también puede disminuir la función respiratoria. Ahora que usted esta consciente de las consecuencias que las drogas traen tome la decisión correcta, y mantengase libre de drogas.

A blog from our leader Alexis Vargas : Hugs not Drugs

According to the American Academy Child and Adolescent Psychiatry the five drugs most used by teens are marijuana, prescription drugs, ecstasy, inhalants, cocaine and heroin. Many teenagers start using drugs at a very young age because they want to look good in front of their friends worried that they might not fit in or it may just be curiosity.What teens are not aware of are the short and long term consequences.

Cocaine, restricts blood flow to the brain, speeds up the heart rate and causes blood clotting, which increases the possibility of having a stroke or a heart attack. Cocaine also limits the body’s ability to fight infections. Not only that, but the user is also in greater risk of having hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/Aids. On the other hand heroin causes collapsed veins, bacterial infection of the blood vessels and heart valves, including kidney and liver disease.

Some teenagers think that marijuana is not a big deal and does not affect the body. In fact, it causes breathing problems, including coughing and wheezing. It also increases the possibility of chest colds. Heavy daily use of marijuana affects parts of the brain that control memory, attention and learning. Furthermore, those who take inhalants suffer from heart failure. Inhalants also cause suffocation, muscle weakness, lack of coordination and can seriously hurt vital organs.

Finally, one of the reasons why prescribed drugs are commonly abused by teens is because it is easy to obtain. Using prescribed drugs for the wrong reasons can lead to vomiting, mood changes, decreased ability to think and can also decrease respiratory function. Now that you are aware of the consequences that drugs bring make the right choice and stay drug free.

Guest blog by Peer Leader Aolani Contreras: The key to a successful life is balance

As Pablo mentioned on the previous blog,” it seems to me that stress is controlling many students’ lives, especially those from high school and college.” I completely agree. As students we all go through moments full of stress, but it’s normal. We have to go to school, do homework, clean our rooms, and apart from that we have to deal with social and family issues; those are a lot of things to do in so little time. But it’s always important to remember that it’s okay to rest; taking at least 30 minutes a day to just sit down and reflect, can be one of the best decisions you make.

Pablo mentioned some things you can do to relief your stress and I would like to add on to that list:
*You can take time to watch your favorite show

*play a video game

*take a walk or go on a run

*read a book

*meditate

*listen to music or

* take a nap

Another thing that you can do is to simply have dinner at the dinner table and not on your desk while you do homework can make a huge difference. Make taking a break a daily priority. Tests have proven that people who take breaks are healthier and happier.Starting tomorrow if you feel like you’re about to explode from doing so much homework go outside and breathe, those moments will take a huge weight off your shoulders and you’ll feel healthier! And keep in mind that the key to success is balance.

El acoso escolar no sera tolerado!

La escuela está a la vuelta de la esquina para los estudiantes. Los estudiantes de secundaria comienzan la escuela hoy y los estudiantes universitarios van a comenzar pronto. Mientras estaba en facebook hace unos días atrás todos estaban hablando de cómo se iban a vestir, con que se iban a juntar, y cuales clases iban a tomar. Pero había un mensaje en particular que me llamó mucho la atención. Decia, "solicitud especial a todos los niños que regresan a la escuela en los próximos días: Si ves a alguien que está luchando por hacer amigos o están siendo intimidado por que él / ella no tienen muchos amigos o porque son tímidos o porque no están tan bonita/o o porque se visten con ropa que no esta a la moda -POR FAVOR ayúdalos. Diles hola o dales una sonrisa por lo menos en el pasillo. Nunca sabes por lo que esta persona podría estar enfrentando fuera de la escuela. Su bondad sólo puede hacer una gran diferencia en la vida de alguien.” Las estadísticas del acoso escolar del 2009 dicen que entre el 15 y el 25 por ciento de los estudiantes en general son víctimas frecuentes del acoso escolar y del 15 al 20 por ciento de estudiantes intimidan a otros estudiantes a menudo. Cuando leí este mensaje de facebook me puse muy contento porque no a sólo más de 20 jóvenes les gusto el mensaje pero también había muchos comentarios positivos y finalmente este mensaje terminó siendo repartido en otros facebooks. Esto demuestra que los jóvenes están tratando de hacer una diferencia para ponerle un fin al acoso escolar.

El acoso escolar es cuando alguien sigue haciendo o diciendo cosas que tienen poder sobre otra persona. No sólo el acoso escolar afecta a una persona mentalmente sino también físicamente. Algunos de los efectos del acoso escolar son la depresión, estar nervioso y distante, no querer ir a la escuela, ansiedad y tendencias suicidas. Si usted o alguien a su alrededor está siendo intimidado hay algunas cosas que usted puede hacer para detenerlo. Ignorar al agresor y aléjate. También es importante hablar con un adulto de confianza acerca de la situación, te escucharan. Si ves a alguien siendo intimidado siempre debes de tratar de ponerle un alto a la situación, por que si no lo haces el mensaje que estás dando es que tu estas de acuerdo con el acoso escolar.

El SCPOC ha estado trabajando en un video para crear conciencia sobre el acoso escolar. Vaz a poder verlo en un par de semanas pero por ahora me gustaría animar a todos los estudiantes a que le pongan un alto al acoso escolar.

Bullying will not be tolerated!

School is right around the corner for students. High school students start school today and college students are starting soon. While I was on facebook a few days ago everyone was talking about what they were going to wear, who they were going to hang out with, and what classes they had. But there was one post in particular that really caught my attention. It stated “Special request to all you kids returning to school in the next few days: If you see someone who is struggling to make friends or being bullied because he/she doesn't have many friends or because they are shy or not as pretty or not dressed in the most "in" clothes -PLEASE step up. Say hi or at least smile at them in the hallway. You never know what that person might be facing outside of school. Your kindness might just make a BIG difference in someone's life.” The 2009 Bullying statistics say that between 15 and 25 percent of students overall are frequent victims of bullying and 15 to 20 percent of students bully others often. To see this post elated me because not only did it have over 20 “likes” from other teens but it also had many positive comments and it eventually ended up being on other teen’s statuses. This demonstrates that teens are trying to make a difference and put a stop to bullying.

Bullying is when someone keeps doing or saying things to have power over another person. Not only does bullying affect someone mentally but also physically. Some effects of being bullied include depression, being nervous and distant, not wanting to go to school, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. If you or someone around you is being bullied there are a few things you can do to stop it. Ignore the bully and walk away. It is also important to talk to a trusted adult about the situation, they will listen to you. If you see someone being bullied you should always try to stop it otherwise the message that you are delivering is that bullying is okay with you.

The SCPOC has been working on an awareness video on bullying that you will be able to see in a few weeks but for now, I would like to encourage all students to do their part and put a stop to bullying.

The Facts on Suicide By Intern Hannah Davis

Suicide is a very serious topic that many people avoid talking about, but some things need to be discussed. If this saves even one life then it has been worth every second it takes me to write this blog.

First off let me start by saying if you or a friend is having suicidal thoughts get professional help immediately!

According to www.teensuicide.us, four out of five teen suicide attempts are preceded by clear warning signs. If you think a friend may be suicidal you should look for these signs:

• they withdrawal from people they love such as family and friends

• they either loose or gain a lot of weight

• they starts to sleep all the time or very little

• they begins to give away their possessions

• there is any talk about suicide

• they stop participating in activities they use to enjoy

• they pick up self destructive habits such as drinking, driving recklessly, and taking drugs

If any of these things are occurring you should talk to people you and your friend can trust. This can include teachers, family members, a school counselor, doctor, or an adult friend. You can also contact certain support groups by calling 1-800-suicide to reach The Hotline For Suicide Crisis, the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-talk, or 911. There are also helpful online resources at http://www.yellowribbon.org/, http://www.save.org/ and http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.

Sadly suicide is the third-leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 24. The risk increases when there are firearms easily accessible to a suicidal person. Rates for girls are higher in their number of attempts, but since the common method for women is drugs and cutting, they survive more often. Boys, on the other hand, die about four times more often then girls because they use more dangerous methods such as hanging, jumping from heights, and guns.

What can cause a person to want to end their life? Teens who are depressed, may be using alcohol and drugs, could have been subject to physical or sexual abuse, or may dealing with their homosexuality in an nonsupporting family or environment; these are just a few examples of what lead to a higher risk for attempting suicide. Other factors include a family history of suicide or depression, lacking a supportive network, feeling isolated, and feelings of distress, irritability, or agitation.

Since so many teens attempt or succeed in committing suicide, chances are you know someone who has done this. I remember in junior high school one of the students hung himself in the bathrooms. Even to this day I get upset when I think about the loss of this person. It is typical and okay to be angry at the person who killed themselves. You may be mad that they gave up and left you behind. Or you may feel guilty because you couldn’t stop them from hurting themselves. Or you may feel confused, lost and sad. All of these emotions can be very strong and need to be discussed with a trusted person, preferably a counselor or professional, in order to help you get through these hard times.