Amy thrust herself into her art after she was placed into foster care. She was a skilled painter at the tender age of 16; her art teachers encouraged her to pursue art full-time. The abuse she suffered at the hands of father and step-mom would have killed the spirit of most adults let alone a teenager, but she managed to smile. She wouldn’t grow up to be one of those adults who allowed their soul to die because of a horrible childhood. Amy would use her experience to reach other teens near and far, even though they too may be in and out of foster care like her. The launch of the Amy Arts Foundation for Teens was a success. At 16-years-old, Amy was on her way to becoming a successful entrepreneur, painter, and philanthropist. She was unaware the impact her artistry would make on the world. Luckily, Amy was tough and could handle the pressure of fame and success – it wouldn’t eat her alive!

I read a disturbing article about a 17-year-old who participated in beating to death 15-year-old honor student Derrion Albert.  Eric Carson was 16-years-old when he helped beat to death Derrion.  Another teen who participated was 15-years-old.  He'll be placed in a dentition center until he's 21.  What would drive teenagers to commit a horrible crime?  Derrion had a bright future that was snuffed out by teens who obviously had nothing better to do.  Taking another person's life is serious offense.  Don't think because you're teens you won't do jail time because you will.  This isn't the 1980s where teens got away with murder.  Judges and along with the court system will throw the book at you.

If you're having issues, speak to someone about them.  Ask your teacher, guidance counselor, priest, Rabbi, next door neighbor, or someone you trust for help. 

If you have anger issues, talk to someone about it.  You need an outlet for your anger such as art therapy, regular therapy, working out, or someone other means to allow you to express your feelings.  Holding inside isn't the answer.  If you hold onto your anger, you'll explode and do something stupid that can kill you or another person.  Help is available -- ask for it.

Links

Teen Central
Teen Line Online
Teen 2 Teen Hotline
Boys Town National Hotline
Teen Contact

Unfortunately, a Wisconsin high school experienced a hostage situation that ended with a suicide.  Sam Hengel, a sophomore student, took his classmates hostage with two semi-automatic weapons and a knife.  He fired shots at a movie projector and wall.  He also shot a computer and telephone within the classroom before turning the gun on himself and taking his own life.  The stand-off lasted into the evening hours and was a horrific and scary situation for students, teachers, and administrators.  Grief counselors are available to students but they're still shaken up from the incident.

Sam was a good student who didn't show signs that he was severely depressed.  According to one student, he seemed depressed the day he killed himself but seemed to feel safe.  You never know what is going on below the surface of someone.  Your friends may seem okay but you don't live with them.  They may not tell you everything that's happening in their lives.

In order to protect students, the principal is thinking about having metal detectors installed in the school but those cost millions of dollars.  It's unfortunate that this would have to happen because of one incident.

Sam's parents said their son didn't give any indication that he was distressed.  They're saddened that he held his fellow students hostage and took his own life.  They wished he would have talked to them if he was having problems.

If you're feeling distressed, speak to your parents, a guidance counselor, rabbi, priest, minister, youth counselor, or anyone that can help you.  You know that being a teen today isn't a walk in the park.  You more pressure on you than your parents may have had.  Take a deep breath and know that this top shall pass.  Taking your classmates hostage or taking your own life won't solve your problems, they'll only be magnified.

A hostage situation or suicide isn't the answer.  You can get through anything in life with the help of others.  Don't be afraid to speak to your parents or other adults.  They can help you sort things out and life will get better.  Hang in there because you'll soon be out of the teen years and into adulthood.  It will get better!

It can be said that 2010 was the year of bullying in schools across the U.S.  Unfortunately, some teens took their lives because they couldn't deal with bullying.  What if bystanders would have spoken up?  How would that have made a difference?  If you're a bystander who does nothing, you're not helping the bullying situation.  You can actually be contributing to it.

Many teens are probably afraid to take a stand against bullying because they feel they could be the next target.  Sometimes in life you have to take a stand for what you believe in.  Sitting on the sidelines doesn't cut it.  If you believe that bullying is wrong then do something about it.  Create a committee or group at school to prevent bullying.  Hold meetings and rallies to draw attention to bullying at school.  The more publicity you can get the better effect you'll have on stopping bullying.

Being a bystander is just as bad as being a bully.  Deep down you probably know that bullying is wrong but are too afraid to do something about it.  Don't be one of those people who allow fear to paralyze them.  School can be tough but wait until you get into the real world.  If you can't stand up for what you believe in while you're a teen, how will you do it when you're an adult?

If you're ready to step out of the shadows and stand up to bullies, you're taking a step in the right direction.  Don't be afraid to voice your concerns and opinions.  Be strong, be a leader.  What would have happened if Dr. Martin Luther King and others didn't do anything about civil rights?  How would that affect you and your friends today?  Think about that and have the courage to stand up to bullies.

In 2010, it seems that teens are committing suicide because of bullying about their sexuality or the assumption of their sexuality.  Who cares what a person's sexuality is?  What is it to you?  How is it affecting you?  If you really, truly have issues classmates sexuality, you'd benefit from speaking to someone about it and making peace with it. 

The stakes are becoming higher for teens that harass other teens for being gay or lesbian.  If teens commit suicide because you tormented them, you and your school's administration could be slapped with a lawsuit.  Do you have the money to pay for a lawyer and court fees?  Do your parents have extra money to pay for lawyer and court fees?  If you want a good lawyer, you better be prepared to pay $500 or more per hour!  Do you think the minimum wage you earn at your after school job pay for it?  Do you even have an after school job?  This is something you may want to consider before bullying someone because of their sexuality.

You may not agree with someone's sexuality but it's none of your business!  Stop focusing on what every body is doing and focus on you and your life.  If you focus on others, you’ll probably miss out on great opportunities.  If you focus on others, your grades may decrease.  If you focus on others, you’ll miss out on the beauty of the world.  It’s time to give up bullying and start finding your and just be happy!

Teens, what do you believe about yourself?  Do you believe you can do anything you put your mind to it?  Do you believe that you can have everything you want in life?  Do you believe negative self-talk you say to yourself?  What about the negative talk from others?  You have a mind of your own, use it!

Take a moment to write down the beliefs about yourself.  Review them and ask yourself if they're true.  Most likely they're not but you made them true because you believed them.  Remember, negative self-talk usually spins out-of-control because you're going through life on auto pilot.  If you're not awake in your life, you could be full of negative energy that is weighing you down.

Tips to believing in you

1.  Make a list of what you like about yourself (forget about what others told you).

2.  Make a list of your talents and skills.

3.  Look in the mirror and say "I love you!"  Do this every day.

4.  Say, "What others think about me is none of my business."

5.  Make a list of all the compliments you've received.  Think really hard about this one.  At first you may say, "No one gives me compliments."  I bet you can remember one or two or more compliments given to you.

6.  Keep a gratitude journal.

7.  Just believe in you!

Many people look outside of themselves for validation but this comes from within you. When you validate yourself and no you're worthy and deserving, others will see you as such.  Start believing in yourself today and watch as tomorrow opens up many possibilities for you!

With the suicide of Tyler Clementi and other teens, bullying is a hot topic that's not going away.  In Ohio, the Mentor school system has had many issues with bullying.  In fact, five students committed suicide within two and half years.  There are two law suits against Mentor High School and the administration.  What's going on with teens today?  Why the need for bullying?

Teens are encouraged to respond to this post and comment on what they think could be done about bullying. 

Here are some thoughts on what could be done about bullying from parents/adults from Cleveland, Ohio.

1.  Bring back prayer, The Pledge of Allegiance, the Golden Rule, and the Ten Commandments.  Have respect for these and you'll have respect for others.  Bringing back "the paddle" isn't a bad idea either.

2.  Students who are mentally and physically stronger than bullies should stand up for those who are being bullied.  The bully needs to be thwarted and realize there are others who will point them out.  All students have a responsibility to their fellow students and parents.  Bullying should not be tolerated or allowed.

3.  Bullying has been around for a long time, even in the 40s!  It wasn't a problem back then because teachers and principals hands weren't tied like they are today.  The problems of our youth can't be solved if teachers and principals have no control.  Dr. Spock's book should have been burned!

4.  Bullying and other problems is now the responsibility of the schools because parents are not teaching their children to respect others.  Respect, responsibility, and reliability are not being taught today.  Teach these and you'll resolve bullying.

5.  A mandatory assembly should take place on the first day of school.  Parents should be expected to show up, sit next to their kids, and listen to the rules and regulations of the school.  It should be explained that bullying is unacceptable and how students suffer because of it. The consequences for bullying should be outlined and parents should understand they could be held liable if their child bullies another student.  Consequences could include a fine, detention and or expulsion of their child.  Furthermore, children should be taught to respect others as soon as they come out of the womb!

Good Morning America has been following the growing problem of bullying in schools and what to do about it.  Eleven-year-old Tyler Wilson, an Ohio 6th grader joined the Flag City Youth Cheerleading squad to be a cheerleader.  He was teased and beaten by two of his classmates because he’s a cheerleader; they broke his arm.  Tyler’s mom filed assault charges against the alleged attackers.  The attackers have threatened to break Tyler’s other arm because he told on them.  He told his mom and she told the principal who’s supposed to deal with the attackers. 

Why would Tyler’s classmates care what Tyler does?  Don’t they have lives of their own?  Are they jealous?  Tyler’s story isn’t unique.  Statistics show that 1 in 3 middle and high school students have been bullied and 1 in 9 high schools students (3 million students) have been tripped, shoved, pushed, or spit on in the last school year.  These statistics are disturbing.

Bullying someone isn’t a rite of passage.  Kicking, tripping, or making fun of someone makes you look immature and doesn’t say much about you as a person.  It says that you need to pick on someone to make yourself feel good.  Most psychologists would agree that you feel insecure.  Being a bully isn't the way to make you feel good about yourself.  If you're bullying someone because you're being bullied, remember that two wrongs don't make a right!

The key to squashing bullying is prevention not dealing with it after it happens.  Teens need to know that there’s no reason for bullying.  Picking on someone because they’re different or have different interests doesn’t make you a “big” person – it makes you a weak one.  

Quite frankly, what others do is none of your business!  Teens, you go to school to learn, that is your job.  If you’re too busy worrying or paying attention to what others are doing, you're obviously not focused on your school work which is probably suffering because of it.

The good news for Tyler is that no one will break his spirit.  A couple of college cheerleaders visited Tyler to cheer him on as he stands his ground.  Currently, there are 90,000 male college cheerleaders and the popularity is growing at high school and college levels.

Here’s the link to watch Tyler’s story on Good Morning America.